CYPHER/CAT A
ROUTINE HONG KONG
TEL NO CREDA 48
HK 201√ √ T
TO BOARD OF TRADE
27 DECEMBER 1968
I copy only
8
CONFIDENTIAL ADDRESSED C.R.E.D. BOARD OF TRADE AS TELEGRAM NO.
CREDA 48 REPEATED E.C.G.D. AND F.C.O.
FROM TRADE COMMISSIONER.
CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.
FOR TOMS. YOUR UNNUMBERED TELEGRAM.
2. YOU WILL HAVE GUESSED THAT I OBTAINED A SIGHT OF THE FRENCH TELEGRAM FROM A WELL-PLACED SOURCE WITHIN THE TUNNEL COMPANY WHO ASKED THAT WE SHOULD INFORM COSTAINS AS HE COULD NOT DO SO.
3. THE NEWS OF THE FRENCH OFFER IS STILL SECRET HERE BUT I FIND THAT HIGHLY-PLACED BANKERS KNOW ABOUT IT, SO IT MAY WELL BE THAT COSTAINS BANKERS HAVE ALREADY TOLD THEM. I SUGGEST YOU GO AHEAD AND INFORM RICHARDS. HE IS BOUND TO KNOW SHORTLY.
4. IN DUE COURSE I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR TELEGRAPHIC INSTRUCTION AS TO WHAT I AM TO SAY IF THERE IS NO MATCHING OFFER FROM ECGD AND THE CONTRACT DOES EVENTUALLY GO TO THE FRENCH. OUR REFUSAL TO CARRY THE POLITICAL RISK IS BOUND TO BE CONTRASTED UNFAVOURABLY WITH THE FRENCH APPARENT WILLINGNESS TO DO SO.
FCO PLEASE PASS TO BOARD OF TRADE.
(x
X
LOVERNOR
LAST
SENT AT 0834Z/27
RECD AT 00342/27
*
ᎡᎥ .
ALCTIVED IN
ARCHIVES NG 31
Rom 1968
1HKK 24/4
НКК
21/4
9
1
Mi
RAPA.
Elosis. Aold that for wod like Nittoman 19cminded that we love not refusing to carry a political reik but Ecco corre ading, Normal immacial considualiais. He
Mlav 30/12..
agred
Qar