TNAG-2548-FCO40-3723-Air-services-agreement-between-Hong-Kong-and-Sri-Lanka-1992 — Page 8

September 1992

Rt Hon Christopher Patten

Government House

HONG KONG

I have the honour to refer to the draft Agreement for the purpose of providing the framework for air services between

Hong Kong and Sri Lanka, the text of which was negotiated in

Hong Kong on 1 and 2 November 1989.

The United Kingdom Government remains responsible for the

external relations of Hong Kong until 30 June 1997. However,

the United Kingdom Government hereby entrusts to you authority:

(a) to conclude the said Agreement;

(b) in accordance with prior specific authorisations in that

behalf from the United Kingdom Government, to agree and confirm amendments to the said Agreement;

(c) to carry into effect and to exercise the other powers

conferred upon a Contracting Party by the said Agreement.

Further, with the prior agreement of the United Kingdom Government, you may terminate the said Agreement in accordance

with its terms.

If action is required to be taken relating to the international

conventions referred to in the said Agreement it shall be taken either by the United Kingdom Government or, as appropriate, by

the Hong Kong Government acting under the authority of the

United Kingdom Government.

Following the coming into force of the said Agreement, the United Kingdom Government will register it on behalf of the

Hong Kong Government.

DOUGLAS HURD

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 2386

OF 230952Z SEPTEMBER 92

INFO IMMEDIATE DTP, COLOMBO, PEKING

ка

135

CM

053442

MDHIAN 0258

DTP FOR IAD

HONG KONG/SRI LANKA AIR SERVICES

1 AT DAY ONE OF THE XXIV SINO BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP MEETING HELD ON 21 SEPTEMBER, THE CHINESE SIDE CLEARED THE INITIALLED TEXTS OF THE HONG KONG/SRI LANKA AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT. THE WAY IS NOW OPEN FOR IT TO BE SIGNED. WE SHOULD THEREFORE BE GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD ARRANGE FOR THE SPECIFIC AUTHORISATION TO BE ISSUED TO THE GOVERNOR.

2. THE JOINT COMMUNIQUE WHICH IS TRADITIONALLY ISSUED AT THE END OF EACH JLG SESSION MAY (MAY) INCLUDE A REFERENCE TO PROGRESS ON THE ASA FRONT. COLOMBO MAY THEREFORE WISH TO ALERT THE APPROPRIATE LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN ADVANCE. WHEN THE JLG SESSION HAS ENDED, AND THE SPECIFIC AUTHORISATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED, WE WILL GET IN TOUCH WITH THE SRI LANKA AUTHORITIES TO MAKE THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS FOR SIGNATURE.

3. BEFORE SIGNATURE OF THE ASA CAN TAKE PLACE, IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO INITIATE AN EXCHANGE OF NOTES TO REMOVE HONG KONG FROM THE SCOPE OF THE UK/SRI LANKA ASA. GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD

INSTRUCT ON THIS ACCORDINGLY.

PATTEN

YYYY

MAIN

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.AIR SERVICES AMD

LEGAL ADVISERS

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PS/MR LENNOX-BOYD

PS/PUS

SIR J COLES

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CONFIDENTIAL