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CYPHER/CAT A
PRIORITY HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NO. 159
TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
10 MARCH 1070
IN CONFIDENCE
PERSONAL FOR MONSON FROM GOVERNOR
YOUR LETTER OF 2 MARCH.
Original at: h\X/22/4" This Copy for: NICK 1/20
Info:: Fara()
Medion on
NORMAN-WALKER WILL LEAVE HERE ON FRIDAY 27 MARCH AND PROPOSES
TO LEAVE LONDON ON RETURN ON SUNDAY 5 APRIL.
2.
I PROPOSE, IF YOU AGREE, TO REPRESENT THE VISIT AS PRINCIPLY
ONE IN THE SERIES OF ROUTINE EXCHANGES OF CONSULTATIVE VISITS
AT ROUGHLY 3 MONTHLY INTERVALS WHICH HAVE NOW BECOME AN ESTABLISHED
PRACTISE. WE SHALL ADD THAT IT IS TAKING PLACE AT THE SECRETARY
OF STATE'S REQUEST AT THIS TIME PARTLY IN ORDER TO ENABLE
PRELIMINARY CONSULTATIONS PRIOR TO THE SERCRETARY OF STATE'S
IMPENDING VISIT. WE SHALL ALSO SAY, HOWEVER, THAT HE IS TAKING
ADVANTAGE OF THE EASTER AND CHING MING HOLIDAY (5TH APRIL)
TO HAVE A FEW DAYS CASUAL LEAVE IN THE U.K.. WE SHALL RELEASE
ON 24TH MARCH (1.E. AS SOON AS I RETURN FROM EXPO 70)
3.
DENSON'S VISIT TO LONDON AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME TIME IS
A SLIGHT COMPLICATION AND MAY ADD TO SPECULATION ABOUT THE VISIT,
PARTICULARLY BY THE CHINESE. HOWEVER, SINCE NORMAN-WALKER AND
DENSON WILL ONLY OVERLAP IN THE U.K. DURING EASTER SATURDAY
AND SUNDAY, I THINK WE CAN FAIRLY EASILY REBUT ANY SUGGESTION
OF MAJOR POLICY TALKS BEING HELD TO WHICH BOTH HAD BEEN CALLED.
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