Cypher/Cat A
SECRET
IMMEDIATE HONG LONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
Telno 1643
RET
4 November, 1967
157
TOP COPY
(D,T.D.)
HW
Addressed to C.0. telegram No. 1643 of 4 November. Repeated for information to: P.A. Singapore
Washington.
My immediately preceding telegram: H.K. Border.
Peking
NCNA contact has now said that his message was only that the arrangements "can" be postponed. He has been told that it was our understanding that arrangements had been postponed at Chinese request and that we wished situation to be explained to the border authorities as well as the "masses" at Lo Wu and Man Kam To. As for a further meeting, he has been told that we will not consider the possibility until he tells us what points his side wish to raise. He has undertaken to pass this message back.
2. It is impossible at present to judge what the object of these manoeuvres may be. Conceivably it is to demonstrate that we have been guilty of a breach of faith in not opening the bridge at the time suggested. Someone (possibly the NCÑA) may be trying to sabotage the agreement: or Peking may not have approved. The negotiators themselves may have judged it feasible to try to screw something more out of us. Or there may simply be administrative difficulties e.g. in getting the two policemen to the border at the right time or in good shape.
3. My instinct at the moment is to make no further move until we hear again from the NCNA. We are, however, preparing a broadcast explaining the facts in case hostile crowds gather at Man Kam To or Lo Wu. All is quiet there as at 1800 hours, 4 November, however. 4.0 I find this development, in fact, by no means unwelcome at first sight. We can now claim an entirely new situation, engineered by them, exists, if we wish: and perhaps use it to improve our position.
Foreign Office please pass Priority Peking as my telegram No. 610 and Routine Washington as my No. 361.
Sir D. Trench
[Repeated as requested].
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
C.0. Hong Kong Dept.
I. and G. Dept.
Far Eastern and Pacific Dept.
News Dept.
Defence Dept.
F.0. Far Eastern Dept.
uuuuu
News Dept.
J.I.R.D.
!AST
REF.
ADVANCE COPIES SENT.
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RECEIVED IN
RCHIVES No. 63
6 NOV 1967
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RFF.
£60
1