CONFIDENTIAL
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CYPHER/CAT.A
IMMEDIATE
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE ΤΟ
HONG KONG
TELNO. 71
10 JANUARY 1968
(HWB)
1:
CONFIDENTIAL.
ADDRESSED TO GOVERNOR, HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO.71 OF 10 JANUARY 23 REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO PEKING, WASHINGTON AND POLAD SINGAPORE.
YOUR TELEGRAM NO.34
COMMUNIST PRESS.
WE DO NOT THINK THERE WOULD BE A REAL ADVANTAGE IN PROLONGING ACTION IN PRESENT CONDITIONS OF DETENTE. WE RECOGNISE THAT THERE IS AN ARGUMENT THAT PROLONGATION MIGHT ACT AS A BRAKE ON THE COMMUNIST PRESS. ON THE OTHER HAND WE SEE FORCE IN THE ARGUMENTS HOPSON HAS ADDUCED IN FAVOUR OF ABANDONMENT.
2. WE IMAGINE THAT, SINCE THIS IS A PRIVATE ACTION, THE GENERAL PUBLIC WOULD NOT SEE IT AS A TRIAL OF STRENGTH WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND THAT ABANDONMENT WOULD NOT (CERTAINLY IN PRESENT CONDITIONS) AFFECT THEIR CONFIDENCE IN GOVERNMENT'S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN ITS AUTHORITY. ON THE OTHER HAND IT MIGHT LEAD TO A FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IN THE HONG KONG SITUATION BY ASSISTING COMMUNIST ATTEMPTS TO ''DISMOUNT FROM CONFRONTATION.
3. ON THESE GROUNDS MINISTERS CONSIDER THAT COURSE A IS TO BE PREFERRED, PARTICULARLY SINCE THIS IS COURSE WHICH PLAINTIFF AND HIS COUNSEL NOW WISH TO FOLLOW. PROVIDED YOU SEE NO OBJECTION, WE SUGGEST THAT MACGREGOR SHOULD PROCEED AS IN PARAGRAPHS 1 AND 2 OF YOUR TELEGRAM UNDER REFERENCE.
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