CONFIDENTIAL
6
Mr. Forster Sevity of Wate
Copies to:
Sir Arthur Galsworthy
You told his Albert Mr. Godden
Stat lloc was
Hr. Bolland (F.0.)
part in making representation here. At
17/7
Your minute of 12 July regarding the interview which the Secretary of State gave to Sir Albert Rodrigues on 10 July.
2. We have recently re-examined with the Foreign Office the question of making representations or protests to the Chinese Charge d'Affaires in London (paragraph 3 of your minute); This was in response to a suggestion by Peking that our protests might also be delivered in London where they would not be subject to the same delays as Mr. Hopson had experienced in Peking. Our conclusions are summarised in paragraph 2 of F.0. telegram No.604 to Peking which reads as follows:-
"We asked you to contact the Minister of Foreign Affairs immediately in order to ensure that the Chinese Central Authorities should be aware of the seriousness with which we viewed these incidents and to make it clear to them that H.K.G. were fully behind the Hong Kong Government in dealing with them. We assumed you would be able to convey the message quickly without, if necessary, waiting for a formal interview. Although we are, of course, ready to pass messages here, we are not able to speak to any high ranking Chinese as you may be able to do and consequently we can get no worthwhile response or feel of the atmosphere as you clearly did, for example, on 9 July. Shen Ping acts as a mere transmission belt and all we get from him is a recital of abusive M.F.A. statements and People's Daily articles. Furthermore, a message through Shen Ping will not reach the M.F.A. as quick as one through you. We think therefore that it is better if we can pass messages through you unless there is a particular reason for making representations in London".
3. I am sending a copy of this minute and a copy of yours to Mr. Bolland (Far Eastern Department of the Foreign Office).
15. Carter
(W.S. Carter)
14.7.67.
PA
DNR
718
Mr. Carter
Many thales. No further action required I thile,
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A. C.Panter
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