TNAG-0011-FCO40-47-Kowloon-disturbances-1967 — Page 13

of the American requests for such visits

could be accepted, each request being

L

considered on its merits in the light of

the situation at the time. Accordingly we

are content that you should agree to the visit of the U.S.S. HANCOCK (your telegram

No. 835 refers). We also agree that for

the time being we should do nothing to

reduce visits by troops from Vietnam (paragraph 2 of your telegram No. 727). We

feel some doubts about more direct

indications of American interest and concern

in Hong Kong. There is perhaps a danger

that these might serve the purposes of the

extremists in China rather than act as a

deterrent. Clearly we need to look very

carefully at the form and content of any

American gesture of support. We are study-

ing this and will let you have our further

views;

See

many difficulties

In

(c) we are not at all happy about the idea that

Hong Kong might seek closer alignment and

identity of interests with countries in

are regarded by the Chinese as the region that have basically right-wing anti regimes in Chinese eyes. What dividend this

might bring for local confidence could be

more than offset by the provocation it will

give in Peking;

(a)

م

$

“" -”",?