TNAG-2110-FCO40-3009-Hong-Kong-participation-in-international-organisations-1990 — Page 115

waiting for reply to

Mr Major's letter of 21 June to

find out who we deal with

in HK.

Pleme R+R

OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION

Eland House, Stag Place, London SW1E 5DH

Telex: 263907/8 FAX: 071-273

Telephone: 071-273

or Switchboard: 071-273 3000

GTN:

273

33

02576

Your ref CC5 AAJ

Our ref IDJ397/768/001B

Date

22 June 1990

Mr C Sainty

Hong Kong Department

FCO

Whitehall

Dear Chris

HKC031/10

Te out

57

Y

25 N 1990

45

Asia Pacific Plant Protection Commission

Plant

1

50

I understand from Ms Major's letter of 6 June 1990, that Hong Kong have asked us to accept the amendment to introduce mandatory contributions on their behalf. However, Hong Kong telno 1 June makes it clear that this is conditional on the said contribution being US$5000.

1720

This sum was proposed at the last (16th) Session of APPPC. I append a copy of the FAO Council Resolution 1/84 which approved the amendments regarding mandatory contributions, and of the appendix to which it refers.

I would draw your attention to Article III which specifies the method and timing of payments to the Commission.

It seems to me that the relevant amended Articles of the Agreement preclude guaranteeing that contributions will be held at US$5000. However, as yet only five countries have accepted these amendments and eleven more are required for them to come into force. Moreover, the discussion leading up to Resolution 1/84 suggests that when the amendments do come into force, they will only do so for those countries which have ratified them. Since little is likely to happen before the next (17th) Session of APPPC, I suggest that we wait until then before ratifying these amendments.

Please let me have your views on this matter.

Your sincerely,

Chiri's Athayde

C M Athayde (273 0143)

United Nations and Commonwealth Department