Second copy for entry in H...Dept. F.E...Dept.
Top copy sent to .........E... Dept.
SECRET
TO COMMONWEALTH RECEIVED IN
183
HW
CYPHER/CAT A
IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NO. 686
28 MAY 1968
ARCHIVES No. 63
29 MAY 1968
JAWA 2/1
г
SECRET
ADDRESSED CO TELEGRAM NO. 686 OF 28TH MAY REPEATED PEKING.
177) PEKING TELEGRAM NO. 488 TO FOREIGN OFFICE : U.S. SHIPS.
THE AMERICANS ON MAY 24TH REQUESTED CLEARANCE FOR A VISIT BY THE HEAVY CRUISER (GUIDED MISSILE) USS BOSTON FROM 1 TO 6TH
JUNE.
2. WE SUGGESTED THROUGH THE US NAVAL LIAISON OFFICER THAT THE VISIT SHOULD BE RESCHEDULED FOR RATHER LATER IN JUNE. THERE HAS SO FAR BEEN NO RESPONSE AND AS THE PROPOSED DATE FOR THE BOSTON'S ARRIVAL IS NOW DRAWING CLOSE, WE MUST REPLY FORMALLY TO THE ORIGINAL REQUEST. IT WOULD CLEARLY BE UNDESIRABLE TO ALLOW ANOTHER VERY LARGE AMERICAN WARSHIP TO VISIT HONG KONG SO SOON AFTER THE DEPARTURE OF THE ENTERPRISE AND WE PROPOSE TO REFUSE CLEARANCE. PROVIDED YOU AGREE, WE WOULD AT THE SAME TIME, REPEAT OUR SUGGESTION THAT 'BOSTON'S' VISIT SHOULD BE RESCHEDULED
FOR RATHER LATER.
3. GRATEFUL FOR REPLY TO REACH US BY 1000 HOURS HONG KONG
TIME MAY 29TH.
FO PLEASE PASS PRIORITY PEKING AS MYTEL 259.
SIR D. TRENCH
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]
DEFARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
ADVANCE COPIES SENT
FO: F.E.D.
CO: H.K.D.
FO: DEFENCE DEPT.
S.B.b.D.
U.N.D.
I.R.D.
AMERICAN DEFT.
RESEARCH DEPT.
NEWS DEPT.
CO: DEFENCE DEPT.
F.E.P.D.
NEWS DEPT.
SECRET
1841185
вод