109
Cypher/Cat A
IMMEDIATE
Telno 1587
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (D.T.D.)
27 October 1967
116
tiš
Addressed to Commonwealth Office telegram No. 1587 of 27 October. Repeated for information to Peking, POLAD Singapore and Washington.
5) My telegram 1586: Hong Kong Border.
Our NCNA contact today told us (after 48 hours delay) that border authorities were not prepared to consider our conditions regarding the place of meeting, since that had already been arranged. Our attempt to impose conditions showed that we lacked sincerity.
2. He was told again that no agreement about meeting place had been reached in Peking. He replied that he would be available this afternoon if we intend to say anything more.
3. It seems important to try to keep a dialogue going if possible. We shall therefore suggest to Poon, on the lines of paragraph 5 of my telegram 1582, a meeting on the Bridge at Lo Wu (or, if that is rejected, by the barrier at Man Kam To) to try to set up talks.
4. Subject to views of Peking, I think it would be useful to inform M.F.A. of these exchanges and our further proposal in paragraph 3. We want to forestall any attempt by NCNA to urge CPG to assent to tougher action on grounds that we are being unreasonable.
C.O. pass Immediate Peking No. 584 routine Washington No. 339.
Sir D. Trench
[Repetition to Peking referred for
Departmental decision. Repeated as requested to other posts.]
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119) 27 UCT1967 ||WR 4/1
CONFIDENTIAL