TNAG-2857-FCO40-4110-Satellite-Licensing-and-Asia-Satellite-Telecommunications-Co-1993 — Page 49

26 May 1993

HKCC 192/1 RECEIVED IN RACISTRY

26 MAY 1993

Foreign & Commonwealth

Office

9

DESK CTICE INDEX

REGISTRY

PA

Action Taken

Mr J Davies

Telecommunications and Posts Division/2b Department of Trade and Industry 151 Buckingham Palace Road

Dear Sim

London SW1A 2AH

Telephone: 071-210-0441

ра

ORION ASIA PACIFIC SATELLITES

1. We spoke on 19 May on the above. I now attach initial responses from a number of posts in the Asia Pacific Region, as well as comments from desk officers responsible for several countries in the region. You will see that the relevant *Sciomon Islands, authorities in Australia,*Fiji and Kiribati are unlikely to

object, but those in PNG, Tonga, Vanuatu, Korea and Japan may be unhappy with APSC's plans. (Verbal responses from those departments dealing with the United States, Mexico and Hong Kong indicate that APSC's plans will have little impact). possible consequences for British commercial interests in those countries in the second group will need to be taken into account in the DTI's final decision.

The

2. It is clear that the Orion proposal raises a number of important issues which need to be fully investigated before the UK makes its decision. Mr Humfrey's letter in particular highlights a number of questions which should be addressed which are relevant not just for the Japanese authorities, but for the region as a whole.

3. As agreed, the FCO should not take any further action until we are in a position to reply to the points raised by the various posts.

c.c.:

Mr Gibson, FED Miss Gillam, FED Mr Bunten, HKD Ms Douche, SPD Ms Sweid, NAD Mr Musgrave, LAD

Yours sincerely, усто

Clare Vosty

Clare Losty Environment, Science and Energy Department