CONFIDENTIAL
FOREIGN OFFICE TELEGRAM NO. 385 TO PEKING
-2-
CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS.
5. MR RODGERS SAID THAT HE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT THE CHARGE
SHOULD TALK SUCH ARROGANT NONSENSE. HE CATEGORICALLY REJECTED THE CHINESE ALLEGATIONS ABOUT HONG KONG AND SAID THE LANGUAGE
IN WHICH THEY WERE COUCHED AND THE REMARKS ABOUT THE SECRETARY OF STATE WERE COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. IF THE CHINESE HAD A NOTE TO LEAVE IN THESE TERMS IT WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED. WE WERE ALWAYS READY TO DISCUSS WITH THE CHINESE MATTERS OF COMMON CONCERN BUT NO DISCUSSIONS WERE POSSIBLE IF THE CHINESE USED THE LANGUAGE NOT OF DIPLOMACY BUT OF PROPAGANDA.
SOSFA SENT 1654Z. 23 MAY 1967
FO/CO/WH.DISTRIBUTION
F.E.D.
CONFIDENTIAL
SENT TO HONG KONG AS COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (D.T.D.) TELEGRAM NO.
1015