r
Flag A
Flag D
fisxxx
Flag H
Flag E
*Susent
A-B attached
CONFIDENTIAL
Hong Kong keeping the overall level to that
of 1966.
6. There is also the question of publicity.
The guidelines lay down that there should be
no publicity about the activities of ships in
connection with the Vietnam war for a period of
two to three weeks before these ships visit
Hong Kong. The Americans are well aware of
the dangers of such publicity and, after these
guidelines were agreed, said on their own
initiative that no publicity would be given
within a period of 30 days of a visit to Hong
Kong.
7.
Following the Chinese protest in March
this year, there was considerable publicity
about the activities of the U.S.S. Enterprise
soon after it had left Hong Kong (Hong Kong
Savingram No. 766). It was suggested by
our Office in Peking, and agreed by the
Governor of Hong Kong, that such publicity
so goon after a visit could be almost a8
damaging as publicity before the event.
8.
So far as Chinese reactions are concerned,
the most important point is that there should be
no publicity shortly before a visit to Hong
Kong which might needle them into making a
protest. It is therefore essential that we
u wangemu
stick to the figure agreed in the guidelines
of no publicity for two to three weeks before
a visit. In addition, however, there is a
great deal to be said for limiting publicity
after a visit, if this can be achieved. The
best way of getting the Americans to agree to
some restriction would probably be to reach
an informal understanding that there should be
/no publicity
CONFIDENTIAL