CONFIDENTIAL
GR
150
PRIORITY
CYPHER/CAT A
6 FCO 0516052 SEP
CONFIDENTIAL
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO. 681 OF 5 SEP 75.
DEFENCE COSTS: YOUR TELNO. 875.
1. MR RODGERS HAS ASKED US TO PASS YOU THE FOLLOWING REPLY TO
TELEGRAM UNDER REFERENCE: BEGINS:
1. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TELNO. 875 OF 4 SEPTEMBER.
2. I AM SORRY TO LEARN THAT THE WEEK PROPOSED FOR MY VISIT TO HONG KONG IS NOT CONVENIENT. I FULLY APPRECIATE THE REASONS YOU HAVE ADVANCED FOR A DEFERMENT, BUT HMG IS MOST ANXIOUS THAT THESE NEGOTIATIONS SHOULD GET UNDER WAY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND 1 PERSONALLY BELIEVE THAT WE MUST CONCLUDE A NEW AGREEMENT, AS PROMISED IN THE DEFENCE WHITE PAPER, AT AN EARLY DATE TO FORESTALL PARLIAMENTARY PRESSURE IN THIS COUNTRY.
3. HOWEVER (ALTHOUGH 28 OCTOBER IS MY BIRTHDAY) I AM PREPARED. TO AGREE PROVISIONALLY THAT WE SHOULD AIM TO BEGIN NEGOTIATIONS ON THAT DATE. I WILL CONFIRM THIS WHEN I HAVE HAD A FURTHER OPPORTUNITY TO EXAMINE THE POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS AND TRAVEL
ARRANGEMENTS.
CALLAGHAN
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DEFENCE D
SWPD
PS
PS/LORD GORONWY ROBERTS
SIR D WATSON
MR SYKES
MR THOMSON
MR MALE
CONFIDENTIAL
COPIES TO:
MR. WARD -D56-MOD
MR HANSFORD - TREASURY
MR BRYARS - CABINET OFFICE
MR.. APPLETON -PSA -"DOE