CONFIDENT IAL
OUTWARD TELEGRAM
FROM THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
(The Secretary of State)
TO HONG KONG (Sir D. Trench)
Cypher
Sent 24th February, 1967.
23.35 hrs.
FLASH
CONFIDENTIAL
No. 383
Addressed to Governor, Hong Kong. Repeated
" Washington.
"POLAD Singapore.
40
Visits of U.S. Ships.
Ministry of Defence informed us this morning that
the following United States nuclear warships, the attack carrier ENTERPRISE and the guided missile frigate BAINBRIDGE, are scheduled to visit Hong Kong from 14th-20th March. Grateful to know whether you agree to visits.
2.
We also understand that the nuclear submarine the SEA DRAGON is due to arrive Hong Kong March 2nd. In this case the mobile monitoring team will have to leave the U.K. February 26th. This of course provides very short notice indeed and if in fact the Americans have already been given permission for this submarine to visit Hong Kong we should be grateful if in the future, you would keep in mind that we need at least one week's notice for visits of nuclear powered vessels.
3. May we have confirmation of the SEA DRAGON'S visit by 25th February?
(Passed to D.S.A.0. for repetition Washington
and POLAD Singapore)
Copies sent to:-
Foreign Office
11
11
Ministry of Defence Commonwealth Office
(Downing Street)
11
11
Far Eastern Dept. Defence. Dept.
Mr. B.W. Fitzgerald (D.S.5) Major Gen. McNeill
Mr. Doubleday
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CONFIDENTIAL