CYPHER/CAT A
ROUTINE BERNE
TELEGRAM NUMBER 124
CONFIDENTIAL
TO FOREIGN OFFICE
3 JULY 1968.
619
LAST
CONFIDENTIAL
RES
606A
ADDRESSED TO FOREIGN OFFICE TEL NO. 124 OF 3/7
h
RF I TO PEKING.
606A1
Ref.
643 645
YOUR TEL NO. 358 OF 1 JULY TO BERNE: EXIT VISAS FROM PEKING. A FACTOR TO BEAR IN MIND IS THAT SWISS RELATIONS WITH THE
CHINESE WERE VERY BAD LAST SUMMER OWING TO THE PRESENCE
OF TIBETAN REFUGEES HERE. MY CHANCERY LETTERS 10234
OF 11, 14 AND 21 AUGUST LAST REFER. THOUGH,
WE HAVE HEARD LESS OF THE TIBETAN PROBLEM HERE RECENTLY
IT COULD EASILY FLARE UP AGAIN.
2. IT IS ALSO RELEVANT THAT ROSSETTI, SWISS AMBASSADOR IN PEKING, WAS INSTRUCTED LAST SUMMER TO SEEK THE COOPERATION OF HIS DIPLOMATIC COLLEAGUES IN ORGANIZING A JOINT APPROACH TO TRY TO PERSUADE THE CHINESE TO ADHERE
TO NORMAL DIPLOMATIC PRACTICE.
MY TEL NO. 18 SAVING OF 1 SEPTEMBER LAST REFERS.
3. THE SWISS WOULD CERTAINLY BE VERY SYMPATHETIC AND
I THINK THAT THEY WOULD CO-OPERATE IN ANY JOINT
APPROACH TO THE CHINESE IN PEKING BY ALL OR MAJORITY OF DIPLOMATIC CORPS THERE., BUT IN VIEW OF TIBETAN PROBLEM THEY MIGHT NOT BE VERY KEEN ON MAKING INDIVIDUAL
APPROACH TO CHINESE EITHER IN PEKING OR BERNE, SINCE
THIS WOULD MAKE THEIR ACTION MORE CONSPICUOUS.
THERE WOULD BE NO DIFFICULTY IN DISCUSSING THE PROBLEM FRANKLY WITH THEM. SWISS WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY NOT
WANT TO BE MENTIONED IN ANY PUBLICITY.
F.0. PASS PEKING.
MR. BRITTEN /REPETITION TO PEKING REFERRED FOR DEPARTMENTAL DECISION/
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.0.
F.E.D. WESTERN DEPT NORTHERN DEPT EASTERN DEPT.
F.O. N.E.A.D.
W.C.A.D.
S.E.A.D.
RESEARCH DEPT
CONFIDENTI AL
0.0. H.K.D.
S.A.D. E.A.D.
Z.M. & S.A.D.