GRS 300
CONFIDENTIAL
DESKBY FCO #31106Z
DESKBY MODUK @31100Z
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG 031846Z JUL 80
TO IMMEDIATE F C O
TELEGRAM NUMBER 839 OF 3 JULY
INFO IMMEDIATE MODUK, PEKING, HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON.
MY TELNO 826: HM TUG CLARE.
FOLLOWING DISCUSSION WITH THE CHINESE THE CAPTAIN OF CLARE WAS AUTHORISED TO HAND OVER A STATEMENT AT 1130 (LOCAL). THIS INCLUDED A REFERENCE TO BEING ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION PATROL WHEN THE VESSEL MISTAKENLY STRAYED INTO CHINESE WATERS''. THE STATEMENT CONCLUDED BY SAYING THAT ''EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO ENSURE THAT A SIMILAR INCIDENT DOES NOT RECUR"".
2. AFTER A LONG WAIT, DURING WHICH THE CHINESE WENT ASHORE APPARENTLY TO CONSULT HIGHER AUTHORITY AND WE SPOKE AGAIN TO THE NCNA TO URGE A SPEEDY RESOLUTION, THE CHINESE COMMANDER HANDED OVER HIS OWN STATEMENT TO THE CAPTAIN OF CLARE AT APPROX 1700 (LOCAL). THE STATEMENT GAVE A FACTUAL ACCOUNT OF EVENTS FROM
THE CHINESE VIEWPOINT. IT CONCLUDED BY AN EXPRESSION OF REGRET
THAT THE CLARE HAD INTRUDED ILLEGALY INTO CHINESE WATERS AND HAD FAILED TO STOP, TOGETHER WITH HOPE THAT THERE WOULD BE
NO RECURRENCE. COPIES OF BOTH STATEMENTS WILL FOLLOW BY BAG.
3. AT THE SAME TIME AS HANDING OVER THE STATEMENT THE CHINESE
AGREED THAT CLARE SHOULD SAIL. SHE HAS NOW RETURNED TO HONG
KONG WATERS.
4. THE PRESS HAVE NOT YET GOT ONTO THE STORY. WE SEE NO POINT IN INFLATING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE INCIDENT BY ISSUING A STATEMENT UNLESS THEY DO SO. IF, HOWEVER, THERE ARE ENQUIRIES,
WE WILL RESPOND AS IN MI FT AND WILL SO INFORM YOU.
5. TO TIE-UP THE INCIDENT WE BELIEVE THAT THE POLITICAL ADVISER
SHOULD SPEAK TOMORROW TO THE NCNA SAYING THAT WE REGRET THAT THE CLARE INADVERTENTLY STRAYED INTO CHINESE WATERS WHILE ON AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION PATROL. IN THANKING THE NCNA FOR THEIR CO-OPERATION AND EXPRESSING SATISFACTION THAT AT LEAST PART OF THE PROCEDURES SUGGESTED AFTER THE HOVERFERRY INCIDENT WERE FOLLOWED, HE WOULD ALSO DISPLAY MILD SURPRISE THAT IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO SORT CUT WHAT WAS IN ESSENCE A RELATIVELY MINOR INCIDENT. GRATEFUL
FOR YOUR AGREEMENT TO ACT ACCORDINGLY.
MACLEHOSE
Fines
HK v GD
FED
Ps
DEF.D MAGD
OID NEWS. D
PS/LPS
PS/MA BLAKER PSIPUS
SIR & YOUDE
CONFIDENTIAL
никогов
RECEIVED IN REDUCITY NO. 51
1 5 JUL 1980
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
Kio W/8.
PLUST.
Action Taxa