TNAG-0015-FCO40-51-Kowloon-disturbances-1967 — Page 103

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HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO.1594 TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

-4-

4. REPORTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED FROM MANY SOURCES OF A GENERAL

RUNDOWN OF FOOD AND NEDICAL SUPPLIES ORIGINALLY STORED BY

MANY COMMUNIST ORGANISATIONS DURING THE VIOLENT STAGES OF '

CONFRONTATION. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT LOCAL COMMUNISTS DO NOT

ENVISAGE A DELIBERATE DISRUPTION OF SUPPLIES FRM CHINA

IN THE NEAR FUTURE, OR ANY PROLONGED RESISTANCE TO POSSIBLE

ACTION BY SECURITY FORCES ACAINST THEIR PREMISES.

5. IT IS SIGNIFICANT THAT THE KWANGTUNG COMMITTEE TO SUPPORT

THE LOCAL COMMUNIST CONFRONATION WAS FORMED IN CANTON FOLLOWING

THE DEPARTURE FOR CHINA OF THE MOST SENIOR COMMUNISTS IN THE

COLONY AND HAY WELL RESULT FROM THEIR REPORTS OF THE LOW LEVEL

OF COMMUNIST ACTIVITY HERE. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE COMMITTEE

AND SUPPORT FROM CHINA WILL FORM THE MAIN THEME OF PROPAGANDA IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE, BUT IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN WHAT REAL

EFFECT THIS WILL HAVE UPON THE MORALE AND ACTIVITY OF LOCAL·

COMMUNISTS, AND ALSO TO WHAT EXTENT THIS COMMITTEE WILL HERALD

SUPPORT FROM CHINA, BEYOND THAT SO FAR GIVEN, IN THE FORM OF MORAL

AND FINANCIAL BACKING.

(PLEASE PASS WASHINGTON 340 AND CANBERRA 127).

W

SIR D.TRENCH

FILES

C.O.

H.K.D."

I. & G.D.

FE. & P.D.

J.I.P.G.D.

J.I.R.D.

SIR A GALSWORTHY

MR. HALL

F.O. F.E.D.

MR. DE LA MARE

O.L.A.

O.P.A.

th

[REPEATED AS REQUESTED] [COPY SENT TO CABINET OFFICE]

ADVANCE COPIES SENT

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