VAT VAN KITA KERROGATZEITEN (90213=hy€ 6/92/2+}&POLECANZANOWA SZLACHET
TELEGRAM
IMMEDIATE
CONFIDENTIAL
TO: PEAKING
WP
WP
Repeat Immediate to Hong Kong and Singapore (forStevens DOT)
Your telnos 279 and 284: UK/PRC air services
16
1 We agree with your view that, in the light of the intransigent
Chinese response, there are powerful arguments against concession
on our part. We also agree that the next step should be a message
from Stevens to Lu, of which a draft is in MIFT. While we have
sought to reflect the points in para 3 of your second TUR, there
is in fact little more to be said than was set out in Atkinson's
NR
letter of 30 April to Lu. We do not want, at any rate at this
stage, to indicate any willingness to permit extra services beyond
6 June. The Chinese objective is no doubt to delay any resolution
of the issue, thus ensuring continuance of their extra services
to Tianjin.
2
WP
Grateful if Hong Kong and Stevens would comment asap on draft
in MIFT. It would be helpful if Stevens would consider whether
the account of his discussions in Peking could usefully be
expanded on the lines suggested in para 3 of Peking telno 284.
Subject to any further comments you may wish to make, we will
then ask you to arrange for the early delivery of the message,
both to CAAC and the MFA. Subject to your views, we are inclined
not to make a special approach to the Chinese Embassy here,
although a suitable occasion for raising the issue may come up
in the course of our normal contacts.
3
Para 4 of your second TUR. The imposition of a 4 hour stopove
is purely a practical matter. If the aircraft remains on the
ground for 4 hours or more, it is reasonable to regard the
1