TNAG-2815-FCO40-4061-Future-of-Hong-Kong-International-Rights-and-Obligations-(IR-1993 — Page 253

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014066 MDLIAN 1789

IS ASSURANCE OF SUPPORT FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. I SUGGESTED THAT THE UK LETTER COULD ENCLOSE ONE FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. THE BANK AND FUND EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS FOR CHINA DID NOT RAISE ANY OBJECTION. WE NEED EARLY CLEARANCE OF ALL THE TEXTS IF WE ARE TO STICK TO THE TIMETABLE RECOMMENDED BELOW (PARA. 3).

3.

BOTH SECRETARIES STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT THE WORLD BANK/IMF BOARDS OF GOVERNORS SHOULD BE INVITED TO APPROVE THE MEETING IN HONG KONG BY POSTAL VOTE BEFORE THE 1993 ANNUAL MEETINGS (28-30 SEPTEMBER). IT WOULD CREATE ''NEEDLESS COMPLICATIONS'' TO HAVE THE MATTER RUNNING DURING THE ANNUAL MEETINGS. AT LEAST FOUR WEEKS IS REQUIRED FOR THE VOTING PROCEDURE AND THIS MEANS THAT THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS WILL NEED TO APPROVE THE CALL FOR A VOTE AT THE LATEST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SUMMER RECESS (9- 20 AUGUST). THE TWO SECRETARIES (THAHANE FOR THE BANK AND VAN HOUTVEN FOR THE IMF) WILL NEED TO VISIT HONG KONG AND BEIJING CIN THAT ORDER) DURING JULY TO REACH CLEAR UNDERSTANDINGS ON FACILITIES AND LOGISTICS.

SECRETARIES ATTACH CONSIDERABLE IMPORTANCE TO HAVING A WRITTEN UNDERSTANDINGS, BEFORE THEY MAKE ANY PROPOSALS TO THE BOARDS OF DIRECTORS. THEY WOULD AT LEAST WANT AGREED MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS IN HONG KONG AND BEIJING, EVEN IF THE REQUIRED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WERE SIGNED LATER. THEY PLAN TO SEND A DRAFT MINUTE/MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO HONG KONG AND BEIJING AHEAD OF THEIR

VISIT.

4

THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER LONDON AND BEIJING SHOULD SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO THE MEETINGS IN HONG KONG. I SAID THAT I WAS NOT SURE THAT A REPRESENTATIVE FROM LONDON WAS NECESSARY AND THIS ENCOURAGED MY CHINESE COLLEAGUES NOT TO PRESS THE IDEA OF A REPRESENTATIVE FROM BEIJING.

5.

THE SECRETARIES ASKED FOR SPECIFIC CONTACTS IN LONDON, BEIJING AND HONG KONG WITH WHOM THEY COULD COMMUNICATE. I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR GUIDANCE ON WHO TO NOMINATE IN LONDON AND HONG KONG.

No need

6.

WE DISCUSSED THE NEED TO ENSURE THE SUPPORT OF OTHER

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