CYPHER/CAT.A.
SECRET
IMMEDIATE FOREIGN OFFICE TO WASHINGTON
TELNO. 18 2 JANUARY 1967 (F11A2/9)
RECEIVED IN
| ARCHIVES No. 63 - 4 JAN1967
HUB2/1
يكم
SECRET
ADDRESSED TO WASHINGTON TELEGRAM NUMBER 18 OF 2 JANUARY AND TO
PEKING, REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG, AND TO POLAD SINGAPORE
HONG KONG TELEGRAM NUMBER 1 TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE: US NAVAL VISITS.
WE FULLY SHARE THE GOVERNOR'S DESIRE NOT TO OFFER UNNECESSARY
PROVOCATION TO THE CHINESE, BUT, HAVING ALREADY POSTPONED THE
VISIT OF THE USS O'BRIEN, WE DO NOT WISH TO APPEAR TO BE BOWING
ONCE AGAIN TO CHINESE PRESSURE UNLESS THIS IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
IF WE DO, THE CHINESE MAY BE ENCOURAGED TO MOUNT FURTHER AND MORE
INTENSE PROPAGANDA CAMPAIGNS IN THE HOPE OF DISCOURAGING US NAVAL
VISITS.
2. BEFORE MAKING A DECISION, WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF HONG KONG OR
WASHINGTON COULD LET US KNOW WHETHER ALL OR ANY OF THE 3 VESSELS ARE
PROCEEDING DIRECT TO HONG KONG AFTER OPERATIONS IN VIET-NAM OR
COULD OTHERWISE BE CONSIDERED IN CONTRAVENTION OF GUIDELINE E. WE
SHOULD ALSO BE GRATEFUL FOR A VERY EARLY ASSESSMENT OF LIKELY CHINESE
AND AMERICAN REACTIONS TO A DECISION TO PERMIT THE VISITS OR REFUSE
THEM.
SOSFA
SENT 2050 2 JANUARY 1967.
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.O. F.E.D.
S.E.A.D.
D.D. & P.U.S.D.
AMERICAN DEPARTMENT
C.O. D.T.D.
PPPPP
1
86
SECRET
SENT TO HONG KONG AS COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (D.T.D.) TELEGRAM NO. 3