TNAG-2183-FCO40-3120-Hong-Kong-nationality-international-support-1990 — Page 166

RESTRICTED

007233

MOHOAN 6751

SHEINWALD SAID THAT WE COULD DISCUSS SUCH DIFFICULTIES AND IF NECESSARY TAKE THEM UP WITH THE COMMISSION ON GIBRALTAR'S BEHALF.

8. ON THE 1968 EC CONVENTION ON THE MUTUAL ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGEMENTS IT WAS AGREED THAT THE UK WOULD FIRST RATIFY THE CHANGES. IF AT THAT STAGE SPANISH RATIFICATION SEEMED TO BE VERY NEAR IT WOULD BE WORTH WAITING BEFORE EXTENDING THE CONVENTION TO GIBRALTAR. IF NOT WE COULD CONSIDER WHETHER EXTENSION SHOULD GO AHEAD ANYWAY.

9.

OVER LUNCH BOSSANO SAID THAT ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE CONTRACTORS INVOLVED IN EAST-SIDE RECLAMATION WERE REACHING A CONCLUSION. HE WOULD SOON BE ASKING US TO SPEAK TO THE SPANISH. HE ADDED THAT A GROUP OF HONG KONG COMPANIES WERE SHOWING INTEREST IN THIS PROJECT. IN RETURN FOR AN INVESTMENT OF POUNDS 20 MILLION THE GIBRALTAR GOVERNMENT PROPOSED TO OFFER THE RIGHT OF RESIDENCE TO 2000 OF THE KEY PEOPLE IN THESE HONG KONG COMPANIES. MR GAREL-JONES OFFERED TO LOOK INTO THIS BUT MADE THE POINT THAT THE AIM OF OUR NATIONALITY PACKAGE WAS TO DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM LEAVING HONG KONG AND EXPRESSED THE NEED FOR GIBRALTAR'S EFFORTS TO BE ON ALL FOURS WITH THIS POLICY AIM. A DISCUSSION ON THE AIRPORT AGREEMENT DREW NO SURPRISES FROM BOSSANO. ON TOBACCO SMUGGLING MR GAREL-JONES EMPHASISED THE NEED TO PROTECT GIBRALTAR'S REPUTATION BY BRINGING THE TRADE UNDER CONTROL. HE SUGGESTED FURTHER INCREASES IN DUTY. THIS WOULD INCREASE REVENUE AS WELL AS LOOKING GOOD ON ENVIRONMENTAL/HEALTH GROUNDS. THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION ON WAYS OF REDUCING THE INCIDENCE OF SPANISH INTRANSIGENCE IN RETURN FOR WHAT THE SPANISH WOULD SEE AS A MORE CO-OPERATIVE APPROACH FROM GIBRALTAR. BOSSANO SAID THAT HIS ADVISERS HAD TOLD HIM THAT THE COOK REPORT HAD NOT BEEN LIBELLOUS. THE MATTER WOULD NOT BE PURSUED.

10.

MR GAREL-JONES ASKED WHETHER IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO VISIT GIBRALTAR THE NEXT TIME HE WAS ON HOLIDAY IN SPAIN, PROBABLY AT CHRISTMAS. HE WOULD WANT SUCH A VISIT TO BE LOW KEY AND BRIEF (EG FOR DINNER). HE WOULD COME ACROSS WITH HIS WIFE AND PROBABLY SOME FRIENDS. BOSSANO SAID THAT THIS WOULD GO DOWN WELL. MR GAREL-JONES AGREED TO LET HIM KNOW IN ADVANCE.

HURD

YYYY