CONF MENTIAL
being.
this would certainly be seized on by local
Communists and exploited to the detrement of
confidence in the Colony. I do, however,
agree with Sir D. Hopson that the situation
has changed considerably since last year and
whatever the extent of China's genuine fears
war shipp about the presence of American vessels or the
I think, with the Governor, that
difficulties they create internally, the
Chinese are undoubtedly more sensitive to the
visits than before and will use them as a
pretext for dating delaying exit visas to the
Mission. We must therefore emphasise to the
Americans the importance of carefully spaced artenbly large vessels.
the
visits, adequate notice and of particular.
difficulties with nuclear vessels.
I think
We
3. The Governor has suggested in paragraph 8 of Hong Kong telegram No. 739 some points which might be made. An additonal point is
contained in Hong Kong telegram no. 703, 1.e.
that visits of nucelar vessels should be
limited to one every two months. that all these points are sound.
might also add a reference to the special
position of the "Enterprise" because of its
close involvement with operations in Vietnam and the demonstrations by the Japanese Left
Wing against its visit to Japan.
We might stud
also mention the desiraŭlity of so far as possible not allowing the knowledge of the
dates of arrival of American naval vessels
become public longer in advance than is
/absolutely
to
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