SECRET
CYPHER/CAT A
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TO HONG KONG
TELNO 900
19 MAY 1968
(H.K. DEPT)
וך
SECRET
PERSONAL FOR ELLIOTT POLITICAL ADVISER FROM MURRAY.
169) PEKING TEL 443: USS ENTERPRISE.
BECAUSE OF THE SYMBOL WHICH THE ENTERPRISE HAS BECOME AS A RESULT OF ITS TREATMENT IN JAPAN THE LOCAL COMMUNISTS MAY CONCEIVABLY FEEL THAT AS A MATTER OF FACE THEY MUST MAKE A FUSS.
IS THERE NOT A RISK THAT THEY MAY SUCCEED IN MAKING SUCH A FUSS AS TO CALL IN QUESTION BOTH FOR OURSELVES AND THE AMERICANS THE
WHOLE MATTER OF VISITS BY US WARSHIPS, EVEN VESSELS LESS CONTROVERSIAL THAN THE ENTERPRISE? HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO ASCERTAIN INFORMALLY THE VIEWS OF THE US CONSULATE GENERAL ON THIS ASPECT? THEY MUST PRESUMABLY BE RELUCTANT TO SEE ROUTINE U S NAVAL
VISITS BECOME A MATTER OF VIOLENT CONTROVERSY IN HONG KONG.
2. GRATEFUL FOR REPLY BY 0900 G M T 20 MAY.
CROSEC
FILES
F.0.
F.E.D.
C.O.
H.K. DEPT.
F.0.
MR. WILKINSON
SECRET
www
LAST
165
1.*.
RCF.
172