NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
2
SECRET
Au Carter
MR. D. H. BEED
9.
HONG KONG:
EXERCISE CARICATURE
We spoke on the 'phone about this to-day
and I said that the Commonwealth Secretary had
seen a copy of Hong Kong telegram 153 of
1st February and had asked what the views of
the Ministry of Defence were on the timing of
this Exercise in present circumstances.
You said that the position as you
understood it was that at official level the
Commonwealth and Foreign Offices were agreed
that the Exercise ought probably to be
cancelled, and that consultations with the
Ministry of Defence were now under way; if
the Ministry of Defence were against
cancelling the Exercise, a submission would
probably be made to Ministers.
This is just to report that I passed on
what you said to the Secretary of State, who
has now commented further on the telegram:
"I feel we should postpone or cancel
this Exercise".
10
Dm.
(D. P. R. Mackilligin)
6th February, 1967.
Copies to: Sir A. Galsworthy
Mr. H. P. Hall
Mr. W. S. Carter Mr. C. H. Godden
CPG
SECRET