CONFIDENTIAL
21€
Cypher/Cat.A.
IMMEDIATE
PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Telno. 862 9 July, 1967.
CONFIDENTIAL
9 July.
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 862 of
Repeated for information to Hong Kong.
My telegram No. 858: Sha Tau Kok.
Subject
It is now for consideration what further action we should take, if any, vis-à-vis the Chinese Government with reference to their protest Note. There is little point in sending them a Note which they would be bound to refuse. to the views of Hong Kong I would recommend a full Government statement in London setting out the facts, lodging a strong protest, and requesting compensation for casualties and assurances for the future. I would think this should be made tomorrow, Monday, and a copy could be given to the Chinese Chargé though he is bound to refuse it. If this is done I shall need full text here as I shall wish to circulate it to my colleagues.
20 I think this has lessons for the future. I was at a considerable disadvantage this morning in having such a restricted brief. With respect, I do not think there is much point in present circumstances in my being asked to "contact" the M.F.A. in an informatory rôle. They, no doubt, already knew about the incidents from NCNA Hong Kong, which will have telegraphed the Hong Kong Government statement and the Hong Kong Evening News report. My attempt to get an interview last night probably merely stimulated the M.F.A. to get a full report from Kwangtung and to prepare a protest Note overnight in order to get it in first this morning. In future I think I should be authorised to put in a fully-fledged protest as soon as possible even if it cannot be based on complete information. I think such a protest should also be delivered in London (where it is not subject to the same delays as here) and published immediately whether I have been able to deliver it or not. Otherwise we risk going off at half-cock as we did this morning.
Mr. Hopson Sent 1145Z 9 July. Read, 1220Z 9 July.
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