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CYPHER/CAT A
INMEDIA FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING
TEL NO.965 6 NOVEMBER 1967 (F.E.D.)
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ADDRESSED TO PEKING TEL NO. 965 OF 6 NOVEMBER REPEATED FOR
INFORMATION TO HONG KONG.
(169)
YOUR TEL NO. 218 HONG KONG BORDER.
FOLLOWING IS PRESENT POSITION, AS GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG FEARS CHINESE MAY INTEND TO PRESS US FOR MORE CONCESSIONS, HE HAS SENT HOLDING MESSAGE THROUGH N.C.N.A. STATING THAT WE ARE CONSIDERING NEW SITUATION WHICH HAS NOW ARISEN AND POINTING OUT WE HAVE NOT
RECEIVED REPLIES TO ENQUIRIES ABOUT POINTS WHICH THE CHINESE WISHED TO RAISE NOR EXPLANATION OF WHY MEETINGS COULD NOT BE HELD ON ALTERNATIVE SIDES OF THE BORDER.
2. IN LIGHT OF THE CHINESE REACTION, GOVERNOR PROPOSED THAT A FURTHER MESSAGE BE SENT SUGGESTING THAT BOTH SIDES CLARIFY THE ARRANGEMENTS
THEY ARE PREPARED TO ACCEPT BY MEANS OF VERBAL OR WRITTEN STATE- MENTS. COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, IN CONSULTATION WITH OURSELVES, HAVE
AGREED THAT IT WOULD BE WISE TO OBTAIN CLARIFICATION OF CHINESE
INTENTIONS BEFORE A FURTHER MEETING IS HELD BUT EXPRESSED CONSID-
ERABLE DOUBT ABOUT PUTTING ANY AGREEMENT IN WRITING OR USING N.C.N.A.
AS CHANNEL FOR DISCUSSION OF SUBSTANTIVE QUESTIONS. WE HAVE ALSO
INDICATED THAT WE ACCEPT THAT ANY FURTHER MEETINGS WOULD ALMOST
CERTAINLY HAVE TO BE HELD ON THE CHINESE SIDE.
3. FINAL CONSIDERATION OF TACTICS WILL BE MADE IN THE LIGHT OF
CHINESE REACTION TO LATEST MESSAGE THROUGH N.C.N.A. WE DO NOT
REPEAT NOT THINK THAT FURTHER ACTION IN PEKING IS NECESSARY IN THE
MEANTIME.
SOSFA
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION:
FO: F.E.D.
CO: HONG KONG DEPT.
LAST RET
169.
1.2.
AU
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