TNAG-2227-FCO40-3199-Political-relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Commonwealth-count-1991 — Page 39

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

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The Retreat, as usual, will also provide an opportunity to urther other matters in the light of the earlier Executive Session discussions while leaving time free for those informal conversations and less structured activities which give the occasion its special flavour.

3.

GLOBAL REVIEW

(a)

Political

(i) Trends & Prospects

From your replies there is a clear consensus of view that the epochal changes in the world political scene present a special opportunity for the development of a new international system based on democratic ideals, partnership and development. You will want to explore the possibilities of a strengthened international security system centred on a revitalised United Nations, as well as address the

the continuing problem of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and of conventional arsenals with the concomitant cost in terms of inordinate military expenditures. It will also be timely to express your views on the shaping of a new world order able to cope with global issues such as the growing number of environmental and political refugees, international terrorism, political extremism including separatism, and the vulnerability of small states. will wish to reflect

reflect on certain specific international and regional issues, including those of particular interest to Commonwealth countries such as the continuing unhappy situation in Cyprus.

(ii) Southern Africa

You

The Committee of Foreign Ministers on Southern Africa will be holding its sixth meeting from 13 to 14 September 1991, in New Delhi. The Committee's Report (HGM(91)4) will be before you in Harare, where you will wish to review developments since Kuala Lumpur and take the opportunity to consider ways in which the Commonwealth can continue to assist both the transformation of South Africa into a stable, non-racial democracy, and the process of post-apartheid reconstruction and development in both South Africa and the region.

(b)

Economic

(i) International Economic and Development Issues

The То

Consciousness of change, and the need to adapt domestic and international policies as appropriate, were very much in the minds of Heads of Government when they met in Kuala Lumpur. pace of economic and political change has now accelerated. assist your discussion of its wide-ranging implications, and particularly its impact on the development process, you will have before you the recently completed Report of an eminent Commonwealth Expert Group, "Change for the Better: Global Change

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