File References
SECRET
C
2
(A
2.
As regards your paragraph 7, our original thinking on this favoured action under Emergency Regulations (see paragraph 5 of your telegram No.691) for the reasons then stated,
We should naturally prefer in principle that you should proceed under existing law but this is likely to be a long drawn out affair, probably resulting in a number of appeals and carrying the other disadvantages that you mention. If it were subsequently found that
this course did not prove satisfactory it might then be even more difficult to introduce Emergency Regulations for the
purpose. From the point of view of causing provocation to Peking we feel that the
difference betwwen the two courses would in
present circumstances be marginal. Taking
all these considerations into account, we
feel we must leave you to decide in the
light of local circumstances which of the courses to adopt in the knowledge that we should
support you in whatever decision you reached.
Please let us know which course you decide
to follow.
(Q2783) 68833/8371 2M.P 4/62 AT&S. 768.
(31.7.67.)
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