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COPY NO.
Reference: 005.10/18/7/57
Copies to: Mr. P.H.R. Marshall, Foreign Office. Mr. O.E.B. Hughes, Colonial Office.
MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG
X
I have been informed by the Colonial Office that when he meets you on Tuesday next, 23rd July, the Governor of Hong Kong is likely to ask if he may be kept informed of present and future SEATO plans (together with the circum- stances in which they might be put into operation) which might have repercussions in Hong Kong. The Governor previously raised this point in his telegram dated 7th May.
dated 7th May. I suggest that the Governor might be informed that SEATO thinking is on the following lines.
+
2. SEATO Assessment of the Threat. The major threat to the treaty area is subversion and insurgent action. Overt military action is unlikely. If this were to occur the most likely form would be a Viet Minh attempt to over- run the rest of Indo-China. Next in order of probability would be joint Viet Minh and Chinese aggression in the whole of the SEATO area with the main Chinese thrust directed at Bangkok. Third in order of probability would be unilateral Chinese action without Viet Minh support.
3. SEATO Concept of Opera ti ons. If it were to be decided that an act of overt aggression had taken place and that SEATO military counteraction should take place, the initial action under SEATO plans would consist of immediate air attacks, including the use of nuclear weapons, against selected targets of military importance in the territory of the aggressor states. SATO plans also provide for air interdiction of the enemy's advance.
4. An aspect of the matter which has been specifically referred to by the Governor of Hong Kong is the circumstances in which the airfields in the Canton arca are likely to be bombed. On this point I suggest that he might be advised to assume that in the event of overt aggression by China it is
likely that these airfields would be attacked by SETO forces.
5. I suggest that the Colonial Office should be invited to be responsible for keeping the Governor informed of any changes or developments in SEATO plans.
6. I shall place this minute on the agenda for your meeting with the Governor of Hong Kong.
(See (18))
(Sgd) D. J. P. LEE
Secretary
18th July, 1957.
Chiefs of Staff Committee
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