TNAG-2302-FCO40-3331-Hong-Kong-International-Rights-and-Obligations-(IRO)-Sub-Gro-1991 — Page 17

Ms Barrett,

Legal Advisers

RESTRICTED COVERING CONFIDENTIAL

HKC031/22

Reference

Returned to me

RBE pes

on

8

1619

¿s 919. Tolont

APPLICATION TO HONG KONG OF INTERNATIONAL POSTAL TREATIES

AFTER 1997

1.

You will recall that I consulted you on Hong Kong's proposal to hand a paper to the Chinese dealing with various UPU treaties applying to Hong Kong (my minute of 30 July to Mr Danson, UND, attached). You indicated that you were content provided there were no reservations or other variations applicable either to the PRC or Hong Kong. I confirmed with NTCD that there were not.

2. Mr Bonde, ESED, pointed out that there were two further agreements which might apply to Hong Kong: the UPU Money Order Agreement and the Cash-on-Delivery Agreement. Hong Kong have confirmed that the Money Order Agreement does not apply to Hong Kong and that the Cash-on-Delivery Agreement is irrelevant since Hong Kong does not run a Cash-on-Delivery service (Hong Kong telno 2622, attached). Mr Bonde has pointed out that we should at least advise the UPU if the (theoretical) IROS arising from the application of the Cash-on-Delivery Agreement to Hong Kong are to lapse in 1997.

3.

If you agree, I suggest that we should do so after we have completed our consultation with the Chinese on the UPU treaties which we wish to continue to apply to Hong Kong after 1997. I imagine that we would wish to inform the UPU then of the outcome of our consultation with the Chinese. Is there any reason why we should discuss the Cash-on-Delivery Agreement with the Chinese?

Amin Sainty.

CODE 18-77

CC

CJ Sainty

Mr Sainty

Hong Kong Department

cc: Mr Bonde, ESED

I

agree

pw

that upu should be informed of the Iappe of the COD alment- but not until after negotiations

treaty

with the Chinese will it not be covered by the general announcements / agreement on

which we hope to make in acc. with one mai 1989 PRO

holte Chinese) If 50, I

successa

paper

quether whetter

there is a

need to IPU separately from the RESTRICTED COVERING CONFIDENTIAL genext exercise,

Infam

делека

that

CYMAIP 2, I think we should inform the Chinese

the COD alment is indlevant to HK and ask for their alment for it to lappe

(ar at least inform them oow intention to allow it to lapse)

Jill Banett 6/9