a visit in the summer would be at the worst possible
time
10 4 Potein
Peking should decide to take notice
believe
I am right in saying that previous visits by nuclear
ships to Hong Kong have all taken place between September and March. A proposed visit by the "Enterprise" in July
last year which we were prepared to accept, did not come
off.
Bros
On the whole, therefore, it seems reasonable to us
of ine
to request the postponement/ visit until the autumn ̧if
not its cancellation. Since we should, I consider, require
the Americans (including the company) not to make prop-
aganda out of the visit and not to put the ship further
into Hong Kong Harbour than nuclear warships have been
the purpose of the visit, ou firs allowed to proceed, it does not appear that the US or
the Americami
could be the company would have strong grounds for objecting if Kirgely mullified his day count.
کے سام
K
نشد
the visit were refused. I should, however, be grateful
for your early views. You will note from the enclosures
to this letter that the Americans hope that "Savannah"
Would sail for Hong Kong on or about the 17th May.
M
If the visit does take place the necessary arrange-
woul
ments to be made which seem to be:
monitor team; on this I shall be
1) The provision of a monetery
grateful if the Navy Department will say whether a team
would be available and if so what its approximate cost
would be. It seems to me that this would be a fair charge
on the Americans.
2) The signing of a liability agreement covering the
visit. This could, presumably, be covered either by the
extenfion to Hong Kong of the agreement contained in
Command 2411, or by an agreement on the lines of the draft
forwarded by Lyons. This is, I think, a matter primarily
for consideration by your department.
3) With regard to the safety aspects of the visit, the
International Convention for Safety at Sea 1960, has been
extended to Hong Kong, Provided, therefore, that the
meght
they
there
2 ford
raise the quartion.
attempt to make Something out &
the foresai
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