GR 165 PRIORITY
CYPHER/CAT A
CONFIDENTIAL
LAST
NEXT REF.
15
FM HONG KONG 290705Z
CONFIDENTIAL
TOP COPI
TO PRIORITY KKINSHASA TELNO.1 OF 29 JULY,
INFO PRIORITY F.C.0.
FCO TELNO.483 AND YOUR TELNO.2.
SUITCASE MYSTERY.
RECEIVED IN
· 51
RES
29 JUL 1977
404/1
-SD
/
1. WE ARE SORRY FOR THE DELAY IN WINDING UP THIS AFFAIR. WE CAN NOW CONFIRM THAT WE HAVE NO OBJECTION TO HANDING OVER THE ARMS AND AMMUNITION ALONG WITH THE SUITCASE TO AIR FRANCE FOR RETURN TO THE CONGOLESE.
2. IF AIR FRANCE FOR ANY REASON JIB AT THIS, PERHAPS THE CONGOLESE MIGHT CARE TO DESIGNATE A COURIER TO TAKE THE WEAPONS BACK ON THE NEXT SUITABLE OCCASION, FOR EXAMPLE PRESIDENT BONGO'S SPECIAL AIRCRAFT HAS VISITED HONG KONG RELATIVELY FREQUENTLY, AND A GABONESE COURIER MIGHT BE WILLING TO HELP A FELLOW AFRICAN COUNTRY.
3. WE SHALL REPORT FURTHER AS SOON AS AIR FRANCE'S RESPONSE IS KNOWN.
4. THE DRAFT NOTE ENCLOSED WITH DAVID'S LETTER OF 22 JUNE TO ARTHUR WILL NOW REQUIRE DELETION OF THE LAST SENTENCE IN THE PENULTIMATE PARAGRAPH AND THE MAJORITY OF?' IN THE PRECEDING SENTENCE.
MACLEHOSE
EKGD (5)
WAD
PUSD
UND
FILES
RHOD D
MR, CORTAZZI
MR.MURRAY MR.HAWLEY
SEC D
CONFIDENTIAL