TNAG-2305-FCO40-3337-Convention-on-the-Marking-of-Plastic-Explosives-for-the-Purp-1991 — Page 39

CONFIDENTIAL

HKCOSI/1

145376

MDLIAN 6514

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG

TO ROUTINE FCO

TELNO 1268

OF 261055Z APRIL 91

INFO ROUTINE PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG

4

pacs 2914.

MIPT: CONVENTION ON THE MARKING OF PLASTIC EXPLOSIVES FOR

DETECTION.

1. DRAFT SPEAKING NOTE BEGINS

THE INTERNAITONAL CONFERENCE ON AIR LAW, IN WHICH THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA PARTICIPATED, MET IN MONTREAL IN FEBRUARY-MARCH 1991 AND ADOPTED THE CONVENTION ON THE MARKING OF PLASTIC EXPLOSIVES FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETECTION (''THE CONVENTION''), WHICH AIMS TO DETER ACTS OF TERRORISM. THE UNITED KINGDOM SIGNED THE CONVENTION ON

2. MAJOR FEATURES OF THE CONVENTION ARE:

(A) PARTIES ARE REQUIRED TO PROHIBIT AND PREVENT THE MANUFACTURE, MOVEMENT AND POSSESSION OF UNMARKED EXPLOSIVES IN THEIR

TERRITORIES AND TO ENSURE THE DESTRUCTION OF UNMARKED EXPLOSIVES HELD OR DISCOVERED IN THEIR TERRITORIES (EXCEPT THOSE HELD BY MILITARY OR POLICE AUTHORITIES),

(B) AN INTERNATIONAL EXPLOSIVES TECHNICAL COMMISSION IS ESTABLISHED TO EVALUATE TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENTS RELATING TO THE MANUFACTURE, MARKING AND DETECTION OF EXPLOSIVES, AND

(C) MEASURES ARE INTRODUCED FOR THE PROVISION OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION.

3. HONG KONG IS A SIGNIFICANT AVIATION CENTRE WHICH IS POTENTIALLY VUNERABLE TO TERRORIST ACTS AIMED AT DESTRUCTION OF AIRCRAFT. THE BRITISH SIDE ACCORDINGLY SEES GREAT PRACTICAL ADVANTAGE IN APPLYING THE CONVENTION TO HONG KONG.

4. THE BRITISH SIDE INTENDS TO RATIFY THE CONVENTION SOON AND PROPOSES TO INCLUDE HONG KONG IN ITS RATIFICATION. AS THE APPLICATION OF THE CONVENTION TO HONG KONG WILL CREATE NEW INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS FOR HONG KONG AND SINCE IT IS INTENDED THAT THE CONVENTION SHOULD CONTINUE TO APPLY TO HONG

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