MR. DE LA MARE
CONFIDENTIAL
Ah Carten
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No. 63)
- 7 JUNI90/
1220
HWA 1/12
PROBLEM
HONG KONG: VISIT OF H.M.S. BULWARK
215
Hong Kong Telegrams Nos. 777 and 780 (attached) report
accidental overflights of Chinese territory by two helicopters
taking part in a training exercise from the Bulwark in the
Colony.
This raises two problems:-
(a) Should we apologise to the Chinese People's
Government for this error, as suggested by the
Governor?
(b) Should we advise the cancellation of the remainder
of the exercise?
RECOMMENDATION
2.
I recommend that:-
(a) we should not take any initiative in raising
this matter with the Chinese Government, but
should respond briefly and factually if the
Chinese protested about or publicised this incident;
and
(b) we should allow the exercise to continue. (I
understand the Ministry of Defence have already
advised the Commander, Far East Fleet, that
special precautions should be taken to avoid
similar incidents in future.)
Draft telegram submitted.
ARGUMENT
3. We discussed this question at a meeting you called yesterday
attended by representatives of the Commonwealth Office and the
CONFIDENTIAL
/Ministry