interpretative notes on the guidelines as follows:
(a) Visits of nuclear vessels should be spaced
at intervals of at least two months and the
present level of four a year should not in gene-
ral be exceeded. Strictly interpreted this would
mean that there should be no further visits by
vessels
nuclear/this year. But as this might be erro-
neously interpreted by local Communists as a
complete suspension of such visits and exploited
accordingly, we are prepared to consider one
further visit in 1968.
(b) There should be no potentially controver-
sial visits in the two-week period following
the visit of a nuclear-powered vessel, strike
carrier, or helicopter or troop carrier.
(c) The Americans should give us the 'maximum
possible notice of the visits of major ships.
(a) Visits by "particularly controversial
ships" (defined as those which are nuclear-
powered) might in future last less than 5 days.
(e) Any future visit by the USS "Enterprise"
will have to be subject to the most careful
consideration.
(f) The need to avoid the undue concentration
}
of ships at any one time (Tomkins' letter from
Washington of 12 July to Wilkinson) should be
reemphasised.
(g) It is desirable not to allow the dates of
ships' visits to be known longer in advance than
is absolutely necessary.
4. In view of your comment in paragraph 10 of
your telegram under reference, we see no need to
raise the question of guideline F regarding the
placing of military contracts in Hong Kong.
Hag E.
5
Your
Pelesiam
No. 949.
Visit 1
"America" as Manner.
may
take place JB214
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Page 15Page 16