"PRIORITY
CONFIDENTIAL No. 1187
possible.
Addressed to Commonwealth Office "Repeated PRIORITY to Peking No. 496
to P.A. Singapore No. 291 (for Shipping
Adviser)
(S. of S.please pass to both
Your telegram No. 1419 paragraph 2 (not to all).
Water Supplies.
Grateful to have your conclusions as soon as
Meanwhile it seems to us that we must consider a tanker operation to supplement natural supplies should Chinese not resume pumping on 1 October. Most worthwhile and economic projects seem to be:-
(A)
(B)
Using or diverting empty tankers in ballast from Japanese ports to South East Asia or Persian Gulf to bring water from Japan, Philippines or Taiwan;
Chartering tankers specially to sail between Hong Kong and the above countries or to places where river water may be available such as Bangkok, Saigon or East Vietnamese ports.
2. We propose to establish survey team to investigate in detail. Shell Company of Hong Kong have been in touch with London office to obtain services on secondment of tanker logistics/supply economics expert as member of team. Campbell Hong Kong General Manager, is discussing this with London office this week. I will send full terms of reference in next bag.
3. To carry planning further we need technical information which can only be supplied through
1
H.M. representatives in countries concerned. The tricky case is Taiwan. You will see from Tamsui telegram No. 30 to the Foreign Office that an offer has apparently been made to give us a free supply if we provide the tankers. We can hardly look such a gift horse in the mouth, but before any action is taken there I would be grateful for your authority, in the light of any views which Charge d'Affaires Peking may offer.
CONFIDENTIAL
14.