TNAG-0012-FCO40-48-Kowloon-disturbances-1967 — Page 95

SIR DAVID TRENCH:

This is true. They have gone

through people's bank accounts and debited their bank account;

taken a slip, debited $200 out of their bank accounts and given

it to the fund. It is a dreadful thing to do.

QUESTION:

This is a Chinese bank. People are saying

not only the banks themselves but they have also forced these

levies on businessmen who have no accounts at communist banks?

SIR DAVID TRENCH: This is true Levies are being

{

They

forced on people who do business with Chinese producers.

have a hold on them. If you do not cough up you are not going

to get any more supplies for your shop.

QUESTION: Do you have any rough idea of what demands

in total have been levied?

SIR DAVID TRENCH: It is difficult.

They have themselves

talked about $10 million.

QUESTION:

This is a figure they have given..

Where do you get your figure of 98 per cent

support?

1

SIR DAVID TRENCH: This is just a figure

1.

QUESTION: Just a personal estimate?

SIR DAVID TRENCH: The one the Chinese themselves give

when they come up to me, say we are right behind you, 98 per

cent behind you. I do not think it is far wrong.

QUESTION: Is there still American leave traffic?

SIR DAVID TRENCH: All the way through.

QUESTION: And from Viet-nam as well?

SIR DAVID TRENCH: Yes.

QUESTION: So this ploy has also expired?

SIR DAVID TRENCH: They never attacked the Americans

}

at all. We had demonstrators marching past the American

Consulate all the time and they did not stick a poster on it.

I think the Yankees were rather hurt.

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