TNAG-2109-FCO40-3008-Outer-Space-Act-1986-extension-to-Hong-Kong-1990 — Page 345

CONFIDENTIAL

36

173153 MDHOAN 3718

CONFIDENTIAL

FM FCO

TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TELNO 412

OF 22180OZ FEBRUARY 90

INFO ROUTINE PEKING

(35

HKC031/9.

RECEN

тако

15 MAR 1990

YOUR TELNO 665: OUTER SPACE ACT 1986

وا داشته است و به

RV

axen

TOP COPY

DIST ?

1. WE ENTIRELY SYMPATHISE WITH YOUR REASONS FOR WANTING THE TRANSFER OF LICENSING AND REGULATIONS-MAKING POWERS TO A HONG KONG AUTHORITY. BNSC ARE ALSO HAPPY IN PRINCIPLE FOR YOU TO TAKE ON THESE RESPONSIBILITIES AND WOULD WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS FURTHER WITH A VISITING TEAM FROM HONG KONG.

2.

HOWEVER, WITH THE BEST WILL IN THE WORLD, BNSC DO NOT SEE HOW THEY CAN BE ASSURED THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO GET THE NECESSARY APPARATUS UP AND RUNNING IN HONG KONG IN TIME FOR THE LAUNCH DATE. AS YOU KNOW THEY HAVE ALREADY BEGUN DISCUSSIONS WITH SOME OF THE RELEVANT PEOPLE AND SEE DIFFICULTY IN CHANGING TACK WITH SO LITTLE TIME TO SPARE.

3. THERE MAY BE A COMPROMISE SOLUTION. WE SUGGEST PUTTING IN PLACE AN ORDER IN COUNCIL ALONG THE LINES OF THAT FAXED TO YOU (CHAMBERLAIN'S MINUTE OF 19 FEBRUARY TO MAJOR) TO GIVE US THE NECESSARY COVER FOR THE LAUNCH ON 7 APRIL. MEANWHILE, YOU WOULD PURSUE DISCUSSIONS WITH BNSC ABOUT ESTABLISHING LICENSING AND OTHER AUTHORITIES LOCALLY. AS SOON AS THE BNSC WERE SATISFIED THAT WORKABLE ARRANGEMENTS WERE IN PLACE, WE WOULD REPEAL THE ORDER AND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW ONE ALONG THE LINES OF THAT SUGGESTED IN TUR. FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF LOCALISING THE ORDER AT A FUTURE DATE, WE NEED ONLY PRESENT TO THE CHINESE THE EXISTING ORDER, WHICH WOULD NOT OFFER THEM ANY PRECEDENT FOR ASSUMING THESE POWERS. OUR LEGAL ADVISERS SEE NO DIFFICULTY WITH THIS PROPOSAL.

4.

WE REALISE THIS IS A CUMBERSOME ARRANGEMENT. BUT WE SEE NO OTHER WAY TO MEET YOUR CONCERNS EXPRESSED IN TUR AND BNSC'S REQUIREMENTS.

5.

GRATEFUL FOR YOUR VIEWS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WE NEED TO FINALISE THE ORDER IN COUNCIL ON 27 FEBRUARY.

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