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33
114455
HKA 122/1
MDADAN 9796
RESTRICTED
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 866
OF 281055Z MAY 93
INFO IMMEDIATE WASHINGTON
INFO PRIORITY UKMIS NEW YORK. UKMIS GENEVA, PEKING, SINGAPORE
32
YOUR TELNOS 513 AND 514: FORMER YUGOSLAVIA: SANCTIONS AND HONG KONG
1.
IT IS HELPFUL TO HAVE THE CLEAR GUIDANCE IN TURS. WE INTEND TO INTERPRET THESE AS A FORMAL INSTRUCTION FROM HMG, IN PURSUANCE OF ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG'S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. THIS, WE BELIEVE, NOW GIVES US THE LEGAL AUTHORITY BOTH TO IMPOUND ANY VESSEL ON THE LIST IN FIRST TUR, AND AS FAR AS POSSIBLE TO PREVENT ANY OTHER SUSPECT VESSEL LEAVING HONG KONG WATERS, PENDING URGENT ADVICE FROM YOU. WE WILL HENCEFORTH ACT ACCORDINGLY.
2.
IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO HAVE A 24-HOUR CONTACT POINT IN THE UK FROM WHOM TO SEEK ADVICE, IN THE EVENT THAT THE US OR OTHER AUTHORITIES APPROACH US ABOUT A VESSEL NOT ON THE UK LIST. WE ARE URGENTLY CONSIDERING WHAT STEPS WE COULD IN PRACTICE TAKE TO PREVENT SHIPS IN THIS CATEGORY FROM LEAVING. WE CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT ANY BOARDING OF SUCH SHIPS WOULD NEED AT LEAST FORMALLY TO BE LED BY A ROYAL NAVY OFFICER. BUT THAT COULD BE OVERCOME IF SOMEONE WITHIN THE HKG (PREFERABLY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT) COULD BE AUTHORISED UNDER SECTION 692 (1) OF THE 1894 MERCHANT SHIPPING ACT. GRATEFUL FOR EARLY ADVICE.
PATTEN
R
YYYY
-242-6
ADVANCE
2 PS
PS/MR HOGG
PS/MR GOODLAD
DISTRIBUTION
24
CFSP UNIT//HD
CSCE UNIT//HD
LEGAL ADVISERS/AMR-AUST
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