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the state of relations between Vietnam and Cambodia, with China inevitably involved to some degree with the latter, the present is not perhaps the best moment for Hong Kong to be making a move towards Vietnam. But we would not wish to put too much weight on this, particularly if HMG has some wider interests at stake. Perhaps more important is the question of tactics in the matter of over flying Vietnam. from here, the need to re-establish the direct route from Bangkok to Hong Kong (Amber One) is a major priority both for British Airways and Cathay Pacific. A meeting is now due to be held in Vientiane on 9 February. Let us hope that it is successful. Meanwhile, I wonder if it makes sense to give the Vietnamese exceptional treatment before they have offered anything in return.
4.
Seen
Robert Tesh says that he is not at present under any pressure from the Vietnamese on the Saigon flights. When discussing the question with him, we agreed that it might be better to leave this one at the moment until we see how the Vientiane talks go. Should he be approached by the Vietnamese in Hanoi, he could say that non-scheduled flights between Saigon and Hong Kong would be much easier when the overflying question (and its corollary, agreement on air traffic control) has been agreed.. Should such agreement be reached before the Vietnamese approach him again, he would then be in a position to "reward" them by reverting to the earlier approach and saying that the climate would now be much easier for such a scheme if the Vietnamese are still interested.
5.
Could you please let us know how you think we should play this.
6.
I am enclosing an extra copy of this letter for you to pass on to Stables in the Department of Trade. May I leave it to you to decide whether any of the correspondence should be copied to Bangkok.
Yo
(D C Wilson)
CC
HE Mr R M Tesh CMG (HANOI) A M Simons Esq (SEAD FCO) BCARFE (HONG KONG)
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