CYPHER/CAT A
SECRET
-IMMEDIATE
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TO HONG KONG
(D.T.D.)
TELNO 2181
25 OCTOBER, 1967
(HWB)
OP COPT
112
SECRET
ADDRESSED TO GOVERNOR HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO. 2181 OF 25 OCTOBER REPEATED FOR INFORMATION IMMEDIATE TO PEKING AND ROUTINE TO POLAD SINGAPORE AND WASHINGTON.
YOUR TELEGRAM NO. 1582: HONG KONG BORDER.
WE SHARE YOUR CONCERN OVER LATEST DEVELOPMENTS AND AGREE THAT GREATEST CAUTION WILL NEED TO BE EXERCISED. THERE SEEMS LITTLE DOUBT THAT CHINESE INTEND TO MAKE MAXIMUM PROPAGANDA USE OF ANY TALKS WHICH TAKE PLACE AND WILL TRY TO DRAG IN AS WIDE A VARIETY OF ISSUES AS POSSIBLE.
2. WE ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF OUR REPRESENTATIVE PASSING THROUGH CHINESE TERRITORY FROM LO WU TO MAN KAM TO. ON THE OTHER HAND WE SHARE YOUR ANXIETIES ABOUT THE CHINESE USING TALKS AT MAN KAM TO AS A PRETEXT FOR HAVING THE BRIDGE REOPENED. WE SHOULD PREFER ALTERNATE MEETINGS ON EITHER SIDE OF LO WU BRIDGE. FAILURE OF AUTHORITIES IN PEKING TO GIVE US A PRECISE REPLY ON SAFE CONDUCT (PEKING TELEGRAM NO. 68 TO YOU) WOULD CONSTITUTE GOOD GROUNDS FOR YOU TO MODIFY THE OFFER IN PARAGRAPH 202) OF YOUR TELEGRAM. WE SHOULD HOWEVER LIKE TO CONSIDER THE HATTER FURTHER IN THE LIGHT OF POON'S REPORT ON REACTIONS OF BORDER AUTHORITIES TO YOUR PROPOSALS AND WOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD CONSULT FURTHER WITH US BEFORE ANY COMMITMENT IS ENTERED INTO.
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