TNAG-0011-FCO40-47-Kowloon-disturbances-1967 — Page 116

of the Commonwealth Office and the Ministry

of Defence.

•

The main argument for offering an apology

to the Chinese

or an explanation) was that it was our present policy to do our utmost to avoid provoking

Peking into taking any tougher action against

& and

Hong Kong We could best achieve this by

making it clear to Peking that the two shallow

overflights had been wholly accidental and,

This would demonstrate that

in no way provocative. We intended to act

strictly in accordance with the rules, and which was

the message we would like to get over

to the more sensible elements in the Chinese

leadership.

admit

Tot an infringement of

I unders Lands

foreign territory would also be in accordancel

with our normal practice in such cases.

the

5. Against this were e/arguments that:-

(a) British public opinion would find

it difficult to understand that

howing

committed

whereas the Chinese c

indignit

Chinese, committed

against our representatives

abused our authorstens in handon

in China and covered Dritain with

and Home Kane rejected our protests and justified

rather

this completely unacceptable behavior. apclociping for they claimed-com-

pletely just the finit time when wo

small and navigational

made an accidental/error we

aja भू

Le

to apologise to Peking,

rushedin

(b) Peking would publicise our apology

As an attempt to cover up a deliberate

provocation.

(c) Peking would also publicise any

apology as an abject surrender.

This would not help to maintain

Mibli

morale in Hong Kong.

ed ex the

6. On balance, therefore, we consider that

we should not take any initiative in raising

this matter with Peking. If, however, Peking/

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

*