Your Ref:
Our Ref:
Date: 17 September 1993
CONFIDENTIAL
Foreign & Commonwealth
Office
London SW1A 2AH
HKA 062/1
Telephone: 071-
REC
270-2655
J3
21
BY FAX
J Ashton Esq
Deputy Political Adviser
Hong Kong
Dear John,
new file: Helicopter and Other Rotary Wing Vehicle
Accidents in HK Water
ア
DITCHING OF RAF HELICOPTER IN CHINESE WATERS
1.
huh!
how about Defence
General'
We have received reports from the MOD about the accident involving the RAF Wessex which ditched in Chinese waters. We understand that the initial search and rescue operation was cleared with you and presumably you had informed the NCNA about it. We understand that HMS Starling now intends to attempt to retrieve the helicopter with divers. We presume that you agree also in touch with NCNA about this. Since there is no longer any question of life being at risk, we feel that we should pay more attention to the need to keep the Chinese on side and avoid the possibility of them using the operation as an excuse to create another incident. You will no doubt let us know if there is anything you wish us or Peking to do about it.
contact
I allempted to contact
typhoon had brought yo you by phone but the
eve
RAJ Bunten
CONFIDENTIAL