From: Mr. F. Cooper, C.M.G.
SECRET
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE Main Building, Whitehall, LONDON S.W.1
Telephone: WHItehall 7022, ext.
SECRET
128
se address any reply to MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
and quote: Your reference
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11/5559 Mr. Carte
AUS (POL)/5
Dear Arthur.
25th July, 1967.
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U.S. Ships in Hong Kong
-27/7
We should be very grateful if you could ensure that the Ministry of Defence is fully consulted before decisions are taken about the programmes of visits by U.S. warships to Hong Kong. We do not believe that, given the present situation in Hong Kong, that political decisions on these visits should be taken without considering the strategic and military implications, and there may well be occasions when Ministers ought to have the advice of the Chiefs of Staff before decisions are taken. It seems to us clear that at the present time there is more at issue than the narrow interpretation of the possible political repercussions of these visits and that it is essential that Ministers should have all the considerations before them prior to approval being given or denied.
Yours mainly
Fish Cogn.
Sir Arthur Galsworthy, K. C.M.G.,
Commonwealth Office,
The Church House,
Gt.Smith Street,
S.W.1.
4.631
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