TNAG-2465-FCO40-3589-Hong-Kong-Coordinating-Committee-for-Multilateral-Export-Con-1992 — Page 67

the Stone F1763

A.

M

In the

CONFIDENTIAL

Haz

MARA

Referenc

Mr Donnelly

A3

answer:

This is He right.

MKC V

Mr Stale

M

пробк

lead not He us

X10/m

Certam UKRY

not

No I deal

Could

Dr. Paul

in necessary. M

из

CONTROLS

HONG KONG: PROPOSED VISIT REGARDING EXPORT CONTROLS

1.

Further to Miss Phillips' etter of 25 February I have discussed with Mr Furness, Hong Kong Department, whether there should be any FCO participation in the proposed visit to Hong Kong.

2.

DTI have instituted visits to Hong Kong to assist it in

MOD have also been present, but perfecting its export controls. not FCO. Last year the Americans were invited to attend a portion of these talks, as part of our efforts to persuade them to accord Hong Kong beneficial licensing arrangements. Americans have now done so.

The

3. The visit in prospect will be a follow-up to last year's visit. Again, the Americans will attend for part of the time, as forshadowed in the relevant exchange of letters, which included one from Mr Burns on behalf of HMG.

4. As the US team will be led by a State Department official, it is for consideration whether it will be appropriate for him to be received in Hong Kong by a FCO counterpart. Hong Kong Department have concluded that, notwithstanding HMG's involvement in this question, this would more appropriately fall to the Hong

Hong Kong Kong authorities, given its autonomy in these matters. Department have therefore decided against participating in the visit.

5.

Were a question to arise in the minds of the Americans about the efficacy of Hong Kong's export controls, this would be a matter of concern to HMG, and would involve us to the extent that But such we are already engaged through the exchange of letters.

a problem is more likely to arise as a result of some incident involving a suspect export, than in the course of regular consultations. I do not forsee any practical benefit to our being represented during the talks, and in view of the protocol argument edduced above, I recommend against this.

913

12

Eme

Ms Helen Taylor

Non-Proliferation and Defence Dept K295A - 270 2573

9 March 1992

FCO officials have no

formal status in H. K. The

Convection is that the Govenor answers to sos.

/

ગ્

in

9/m

greckon of answering In a question of expendiancy

Its Not a

cc: Mr Furness, Hong Kong Department

m

17/3

}

HT3ACF

CODE 18-77

CONFIDENTIAL