TNAG-2152-FCO40-3071-Commonwealth-war-graves-in-Hong-Kong-1990 — Page 21

bin

GUVI HUUSE

VALDAR

HK

1 HKC 225

RECEIV

14 SEP 1990

TRY

GTRY

4-15 22:21

CONFIDENTIAL

EXTRACT

Notes of Meetin, held at the Head Office of

he Commonwealth War Graves Commission,

Maidenhead, U.K., on 9.8.1990 a.m.

1 Takena

PHGE 02

ря

p.a.

27

Cla

Present

Mr. J. Saynor Mr. N. Osborn Mr. G. Reddie Mr. M. Johnson Mr. J. Gee

Hong Kong

Mr. J. So

Mr. C.S. Chan

- Dir. General

-

- Deputy Dir. General (Op.) - Legal Advisor & Solicitor

- Dir. of Outer Area

- Dir. of Infn. & Secretariat

- Dir. of Urban Services

Asst. Dir. (HK)EH

Mi. Daynor welcomed Mr. J. So and Mr. Chan and stated that the CWGC had been looking forward to this opportunity when all concerned could sit together to exchange views over the various issues regarding the War Graves Cemeteries in Hong Kong.

The War Graves Agreement

2.

By referring to the forthcoming political changes in H.K., Mr. Saynor remarked that the CWGC was anxious to explore ways and means in order to ensure that the land tenure for the commonwealth war graves cemeteries was secured and that they were effectively protected from disturbance after the sovereignty over the territory was returned to China in 1997. He added that the Commission would like to see a formal War Graves Agreement (WGA) concluded between the H.K. Govt. and the six member-Govts.

3.

DUS stated that he personally had. some reservations on this approach since seeking a formal inter-governmental agreement at this stage would inevitably involve consultation with the Chinese and problems would certainly arise. South Africa being one of the six member-governments was also likely to create difficulties. Mr. Saynor said that they were fully aware of the problems arising from the Chinese dimension, but suggested that with regard to South Africa, that country could be excluded since there were no South African war deads buried in H.K.

4.

Mr. Gee asked if there would be any chance of getting round the China problem. DUS replied that he did not want to speculate as the situation was highly volatile and much depended on the goodwill and good relations with China. He personally felt that the present was not the appropriate time to raise such a matter with the Chinese. Mr. Saynor commented that the Commission had not insisted that it should be done right now but somehow the matter had to be settled before 1997. If the Commission's concern could be met by other means, he would be prepared to explore them.

CONFIDENTIAL