TNAG-1779-FCO40-2539-Hong-Kong-international-telecommunications-1988 — Page 325

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060432 MDLIAN 8505

(CORRECTED VERSION 9/4)

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FM HONG KONG

TO DESKBY 0906OOZ MANILA

TELNO 0012

OF 09050OZ APRIL 88

INFO PRIORITY FCO

CABLE AND WIRELESS (HONG KONG) AND PHILIPPINE LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE COMPANY.

1. CABLE AND WIRELESS HONG KONG HAVE JUST APPROACHED US (9 APRIL)

TO INFORM US THAT THE PHILIPPINE LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE COMPANY INTEND TO PUT INTO EFFECT AT MIDNIGHT ON 10/11 APRIL RESTRICTIONS ON CIRCUITS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE PHILIPPINES, WHICH WILL SHARPLY REDUCE AVAILABILITY OF TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS.

2.

CABLE AND WIRELESS HAVE BEEN IN CORRESPONDENCE WITH PLDTC FOR SOME TIME ON POSSIBLE NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR CIRCUITS AND HAVE AGREED TO MEET ON 11 MAY TO, DISCUSS THESE. LETTER DATED 8 APRIL FROM PLDTC UNILATERALLY, WHICH ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO PUT RESTRICTED ARRANGE- MENTS INTO EFFECT AT VERY SHORT NOTICE, CUTS ACROSS INTENDED NEGOTIATIONS AND IN CABLE AND WIRELESS VIEW WILL LEAD TO GREAT INCONVENIENCE TO HONG KONG PUBLIC, INCLUDING PHILIPPINE RESIDENTS

HERE.

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3. CABLE AND WIRELESS HAVE ASKED THEIR REPRESENTATIVE IN MANILA, COLIN BROOKER, TO GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU. THEY SUSPECT THAT PLDTC MAY NOT HAVE CONSULTED PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT BEFORE TAKING THIS ACTION.

GRATEFUL FOR ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO GET THE RESTRICTIVE MOVES

REVERSED AND STATUS QUO CONTINUED UNTIL PARTIES CAN MEET. IT IS CLEARLY NOT IN PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT'S INTEREST TO BE RESPONSIBLE

FOR RESTRICTED COMMUNICATIONS AND COMPLAINTS TURN PUBLIC OR FOR

A DISPUTE TO EMERGE SHORTLY BEFORE PRESIDENT AQUINO'S VISIT.

WILSON

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