Confidential
TOP SECRET
ひを
Mr. Hall
A draft brief for the Secretary of State's visit to the
Far East is attached.
Paragraphs 17 are based on a
brief for the Foreign Secretary's visit to Tokyo agreed with
the Far Eastern Department of the Foreign Office.
But it seems likely to me
2. You asked for a short brief.
that, faced with the prospect of an earlier withdrawal of our
forces from Singapore and the abandonment of plans to base an
amphibious force on Australia, Australian concern might well
centre on our position in Hong Kong. For reasons set out in
the Annex, they could probe quite deeply into the situation in
Hong Kong and our future intentions towards the Colony.
3. I have sent copies of this minute and attachment to
Mr. Sykes (Defence Department, F.0.), Mr. Murray (F.E.D., F.0.)
and to Mr. A.H. Reed (F.E.P.D.) for their early comments,
bearing in mind that the brief has to be submitted by close of
play on Wednesday, 3 January.
2 January, 1968
6.5. Carter
(W.S. Carter)
(a
amended)
Briel
Seen
Mr. Hall,
and
approved
Sin A. Galsworthy
31168
Lord Shepherd.