316
CYPHER/CAT.A
CONFIDENTIAL
317 TOP COPÍ
PRIORITY COMMONWEALTH OFFICE ΤΟ HONG KONG
TELNO. 325
23 FEBRUARY 1968 (H.K.D. & F.D.)
CONFIDENTIAL.
ADDRESSED TO GOVERNOR HONG KONG TEL NO 325 OF 23/2 REPEATED FOR
INFORMATION TO PEKING.
FOLLOWING FROM GALSWORTHY.
YOUR TELEGRAM NO 234: PRISON VISITS.
YOUR TELEGRAM WAS RECEIVED AFTER OUR TELEGRAMS NOS 323 AND 324
HAD BEEN APPROVED.
2. WE AND FOREIGN OFFICE FULLY ACCEPT POINT IN LAST SENTENCE OF PARAGRAPH 2 OF YOUR TELEGRAM UNDER REFERENCE. YOU WILL SEE THAT THIS IS REFLECTED IN PARAGRAPH 6 OF OUR TELEGRAM NO 323.
3. WE REALISE THAT YOU WOULD PREFER THAT NOTIFICATION OF CONDITIONS (1) TO (V) SHOULD FIRST BE MADE TO CHINESE IN PEKING (PARAGRAPH 3 OF YOUR TELEGRAM UNDER REFERENCE). WE AND FOREIGN OFFICE HOWEVER STILL FEEL ON BALANCE THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER THAT THE DISCUSSION OF DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN HONG KONG. WE RECOGNISE THAT WHEREVER THE NOTIFICATION IS MADE THERE IS RISK OF FURTHER ARGUMENT ABOUT THE CONDITIONS, AND ALSO OF CONFUSION
BUT BY THE CHINESE IN TRANSMISSION BETWEEN PEKING AND NCNA. OUR ASSESSMENT IS THAT ON THE WHOLE THE BEST CHANCE OF SETTLING THIS ASPECT OF THE MATTER LIES IN DIRECT EXCHANGES WITH N C NA IN HONG KONG. WE TAKE POINT IN LAST SENTENCE OF YOUR PARAGRAPH 3. WE SUGGEST THAT HOPSON SHOULD ADD (PARAGRAPH 1(A) OF OUR TELEGRAM NO 324) THAT THE SPECIAL VISITS WOULD BE SUBJECT TO SATISFACTORY AGREEMENT ON ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS BETWEEN THE POLITICAL ADVISER AND N CNA. A PHRASE OF THIS SORT WOULD GIVE SOME PROTECTION AGAINST CHARGES OF BAD FAITH IF THE CHINESE PRODUCED A LIST OF SUCH LENGTH THAT IT COULD NOT BE ACCEPTED IN TOTO AND THE WHOLE ARRANGEMENT BROKE DOWN IN CONSEQUENCE.
LAST
REF.
916
RENT
320
RO
CONFIDENTIAL
14.