SECRET
CYPHER/CAT A
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TO CANBERRA
FLASH
TELNO 1105
19 MAY 1967 (HWB F.E. & P.D.)
SECRET.
ADDRESSED TO CANBERRA TELEGRAM NO.1105 OF 19 MAY REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG OTTAWA WASHINGTON PEKING AND POLAD SINGAPORE,
82
87
H003/12
HONG KONG TELEGRAMS NOS.638, 645 AND 647: KOWLOON DISTURBANCES.
PLEASE TAKE VERY URGENTLY THE INIATIVE SUGGESTED BY GOVERNOR, HONG KONG. WE HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY ACTION HERE (PARAGRAPH 2 OF HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO.638) WITH EITHER THE AUSTRALIANS OR THE
CANADIANS.
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2. IT SHOULD BE EMPHASISED TO THE AUSTRALIANS THAT WE ARE NOT IN ANY WAY TRYING TO FRUSTRATE THE DEAL, BUT ONLY ASKING THEM TO GO SLOW IN CONCLUDING IT. PLEASE EMPHASISE ALSO THE IMPORTANCE WE ATTACH TO THIS. IT WOULD BE MOST HELPFUL IF THEY WOULD INSTRUCT THEIR DELEGATION IN HONG KONG TO KEEP IN CLOSEST TOUCH WITH THE
GOVERNOR REGARDING THE TIMING OF THE DEAL.
3. THE SHORT POINT IS THAT IF DEAL GOES THROUGH NOW CHINESE WILL
CONCLUDE THAT IT IS BUSINESS AS USUAL IN SPITE OF THEIR BEASTLINESS, WHEREAS IF IT IS HELD UP THEY MAY THINK AGAIN. YOU COULD ADD THAT WE KNOW THE GREAT IMPORTANCE THE AUSTRALIANS ATTACH TO THE STABILITY OF THE AREA. WE WOULD THEREFORE HOPE THAT THEY WOULD FEEL ABLE TO DO WHATEVER THEY COULD TO ASSIST US TO
MAINTAIN OUR POSITION IN HONG KONG.
CROSEC SENT 17372 19 MAY
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
C.O. F.E. & P.D.
D.T.D.
W.E.D.
J.R.D.
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IN
- $3
F.O. F.E.D.
00
A
HUDILL
SECRET
SENT TO HONG KONG AS COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (D.T.D.) TELEGRAM
NO.
971
93
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