SEPARATELY IN THE LIGHT OF YOUR TELNO. 672 OF 2 SEPTEMBER.
AT MEETING WITH POLITICAL ADVISER, PRG DELEGATION SAID THAT THEIR POLICY WAS TO FORGET THE PAST AND LOOK TO THE FUTURE'' AND THAT COMMUNICATIONS BY AIR COULD BE IMPORTANT IF TRADE DEVELOPED.
(C) ON DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY HONG KONG RESIDENTS WISHING TO LEAVE SAIGON, DELEGATION STATED CATEGORICALLY THAT PRG 'DID NOT INTEND TO KEEP FOREIGNERS AGAINST THEIR WILL' AND THEY HAD ALREADY MADE THIS, CLEAR IN DISCUSSIONS WITH HONG KONG CITIZENS
LOCALLY (INCLUDING DR. DENNY HUANG. THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT
IT WAS NOW POSSIBLE FOR HONG KONG RESIDENT TO FLY VIA BANGKOK TO HONG KONG. THEY IMPLIED THAT FRENCH SUBJECTS MIGHT BE TAKING UP MOST OF THE PLANE SEATS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE, AND THAT DIRECT AIR COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN SAIGON AND HONG WOULD MAKE RETURN VERY MUCH
EASIER.
3. FULL RECORD FOLLOWS BY BAG.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
SEAD
1
HKIOD
FED
MTD
PUSD
PPD
CONSULAR DEPT
MVD
LEGAL ADVISERS
GIPD
IRD
NEWS DEPT
PS
PS TO LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS
PS TO PUS
SIR D WATSON'
MR MALE
MR WILTON
+
2
CONFIDENTIAL