(b) the Governor considered that to agree to the number of
mericans would put a
servicemen suggested by the
disproportionate burden on long long's hotel space and
night therefore cause adverse press B
public reactions.
orümately the merican
The present merican request is more acce; table; some time has
now elapsed since te last increase in mumbe s and in the intervening
period the programe of visits has not been tho cubject or criticism
in the local left-wing Press or from Poking.
servicemen have been extremely well-ve aved. The Governor of Hong Kong
has also reappraised the position on Lotel cocorno lation and now considers
that the naivers suggested woul not pose an unacceptable burdon.
5.
There is always the possibility thetsose incident might occur in
Hong Kong which, particularly at a time of emotional excitement in (hina
such as now, vouli csuI BO leking or the local left-ing ress to make a
fuss about visite by merican servicemon.
However we have no reason to
believe that the Chinese deliberately intend to mde difficulties for
The increases involved would be difficult to letect and Hong Long,
raise no new point of principle. Could any trouble occur following
the first increase, the over:1o.
suggestion that o should tell the
Americans that we consider our: lves free to revão: ti Micher figure
of 996 if any political ifficulties arise in the meantime provides a
useful let out. On these terms I think we 3. Oul S.roe to tho aerican
request.
6.
The Far Eastern Department of the Foreign Office agree and are
putting up an identical submission and recotondation to their
Ministers.
font Koe est Indian 'C' Dept.,
22nd ebruary, 1967.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.