CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG
TELNO 597
OF 27164OZ MARCH 91
CONFIDENTIAL
HKB 02013
65
032157 MDLOAN 6812
GULF BURDENSHARING: CONTRIBUTION FROM HONG KONG
1.
THE BRITISH RED CROSS HAVE WRITTEN TO US REGARDING HONG
KONG'S CONTRIBUTION OF HKDOLLAR 230 M. THEY CLAIM THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS MENTIONED THE RED CROSS AS A POTENTIAL BENEFICIARY FOR SOME OF THE FUNDS, IN THE CONTEXT OF THE FUNDS APPLICATION FOR LOGISTICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND HUMANITARIAN CAUSES. THE RED CROSS EXPRESS THE HOPE THAT SOME PROPORTION OF THE HONG KONG MONIES MIGHT BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR BUDGETARY SUPPORT TO THE ICRC APPEAL. WE ARE FAXING A COPY OF THE LETTER
TO THE OFFICE OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
2.
WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO TRACE ANY COMMENTS BY THE F.S (OR ANY
OTHER HKG OFFICIAL) THAT THE ICRC SHOULD BE A BENEFICARY FOR THE DONATION, AND PROPOSE TO ANSWER ON THE FOLLOWING LINES:
QUOTE
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
ON 8 FEBRUARY 1991 APPROVED A CONTRIBUTION OF HKDOLLAR 230 M TO HMG FOR ''LOGISTIC, MEDICAL, HUMANITARIAN AND OTHER SUPPORT FACILITIES''. SOME MEMBERS WERE INDEED IN FAVOUR OF A CONTRIBUTION TO THE ICRC, HOWEVER THESE WERE OUTVOTED BY THOSE MEMBERS WHO PREFERRED THE PURPOSE OF THE CONTRIBUTION TO BE LIMITED TO THAT CONTAINED IN THE PREVIOUS SENTENCE.
IN SUMMING UP THE DEBATE THE CHAIRMAN NEVERTHELESS AGREED TO FORWARD TO HMG MEMBERS' COMMENTS: WHICH HE DULY DID. THE RED CROSS ARE THUS INCORRECT IN THEIR ASSERTION THAT THE
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT MENTIONED THE ICRC AS A POTENTIAL
BENEFICIARY FOR THE DONATION.
UNQUOTE.
4.
GRATEFUL FOR YOUR COMMENTS ON WHETHER THIS ACCURATELY REFLECTS THE POSITION.
HURD
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