3. The Senator said the main objective of his visit was to discuss GATT and the Uruguay Round. Old hands had advised him that conclusion this year was possible. The US fast-track initiative was a good sign. Senator Cook thought the British role had been crucial in GATT and that the Prime Minister had done extremely well. On APEC, the Senator thought the evolution from 1989 had been dramatic and that the organisation was now acquiring a clearer purpose. But he hoped for consolidation before wider membership was mooted. He referred to the possibility of a Heads of Government meeting, perhaps in Seattle but more probably in Djakarta, in 1994. He was glad that the US now seemed to accept that APEC was the best vehicle for developing trade cooperation in the Asia/Pacific region. The Minister asked if APEC would keep to trade and out of other issues (eg Security). The Senator confirmed this. He also thought APEC could be used to avert US/Japan tensions on managed trade. Malaysia was still keen on the EAEC but there was evidence that other ASEAN countries were soft-pedalling. Australia would not get involved for fear of offending Malaysia.
4. Mr Goodlad asked how Senator Cook saw the EC/APEC relationship developing. The Senator thought observer status for Europe would be acceptable. On CAP, the Senator said that Australia's interest was to see that stockpiles were managed without damaging the market. Australian wild boar exports were a problem to the French.
5. Senator Cook said he was uncertain about the "three Chinas". He was unclear about the US position on MFN for China and would speak to the US after OECD. The Minister said that talks on electoral arrangements for Hong Kong were proceeding in a cordial atmosphere. The Chinese were naturally nervous. Hong Kong's economy and stock market were doing well.
6.
The Senator said he would like to see more access to the UK for Australian coal. Mr Goodlad presumed that the Senator would raise this when he spoke to the DTI. Mr Goodlad was asked if the UK could support the candidature of Geoff Miller to the FAO. You said that we had been approached on this issue in Canberra. We had explained that we were not yet in a position to support any one candidate. We did, however, recognise Mr Miller's excellent qualifications.
Trevor bl.
TM ADAMS
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