CYPHER/CAT A
IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO EXCED 19
TO E O G D
31 JANUARY 1969
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PS
PUS
Minister of State
Si Asalowe, they
Пи Пе
Do
ECGB (HS B.CT.
Impe Prism Dep
43
CONFIDENTIAL
ADDRESSED LONDON FOR E.C.G.D. AS EXCED 019 OF 31ST JANUARY
RFI B.O.T. AND F.C.O.
FOR COTTERILL FROM HANNAM.
CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL
YOUR EXCED 19 OF JANUARY 29 ONLY REACHED ME ON JANUARY 31
SOME 24 HOURS AFTER THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD RECEIVED NEWS
OF YOUR RELAXATION. THEY OF COURSE INFORMED CLAGUE WHO HAS BEEN
NAGGING ME FOR CONFIRMATION EVER SINCE.
2. SINCE RECEIVING YOUR EXCED 19 I HAVE NOT REPEAT NOT SPOKEN TO THE TUNNEL COMPANY AS I KNOW FROM CLAGUE'S CONVERSATION
WITH ME IN THE LAST 24 HOURS THAT THE CENTRAL POINT IN HIS
MIND IS WHETHER YOU HAVE AGREED TO COVER THE POLITICAL RISK
WITHOUT INSISTING ON SUPPORTING GUARANTEES. HE HAS ASSURED ME
THAT THIS IS THE CRUCIAL POINT.
3. CAN YOU PLEASE BRIEF ME BY IMMEDIATE TELEGRAM WHETHER
THE SEVERAL GUARANTEES THAT YOU NOW REQUIRE FROM ALL SHAREHOLDERS
WOULD BE INVOKED IN THE EVENT OF THE TUNNEL SCHEME PROVING
ABORTIVE DUE TO INTERVENTION IN THE COLONY BY A FOREIGN POWER EITHER DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD OR AFTER COMPLETION
BUT BEFORE REPAYMENT OF THE LOAN. I CANNOT BE CERTAIN BUT MY
IMPRESSION IS THAT IF THIS POINT IS SETTLED COSTAINS WILL GET
THE CONTRACT ON THE TERMS SET OUT IN YOUR EXCED 19.
FCO PLEASE PASS IMMEDIATE C.C.G.D. AND ROUTINE B.O.T.