TNAG-0020-FCO40-56-Facilities-for-US-Forces-1967 — Page 179

LONGBEACH, but a final decision on the latter two

ships can only be taken when we have seen local and

Chinese official reaction to the visit of the

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT. Since this could mean at worst

that the visit of the PROVIDENCE (flag ship of the 7th

Fleet) might have to be postponed, at short notice

Admiral Hyland might prefer to come in the

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT or alternatively, to avoid

last minute changes, for their C. in C., the Americans

themselves might prefer to postpone the visit of

Some time.

the FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT until/after the PROVIDENCE

has visited Hong Kong.

Finally U.S. Consulate General Should be

remin ed of the dangers of any statements either on

or off the record made by senior officers in

particular the C. in C. which serve to publicise the

visits or the ships and which could be used by the

Chinese.

trou

"

SECER.

they

can agree to the visit of the

FRANKLIN D.ROOSEVELT.

You think it is very much in

their own interests at the present me to curtail

the number of visits of capital ships and consider that

they would be well advised to arrange postponement

of the visits of the PROVIDENCE and LONG BEACH.For

your part you must reserve your decision on these last

two visits to nearer the time when they take place;

it is most important at the present time (when there

must be some uncertainty about Chinese attitudes

towards Hong Kong) to avoid visit likely to provide

Chinese with such obvious grounds for mounting

sustained campaigns.

Passed to DS40 for repetition. Peking, POLAD Singapore

(8430) Dd,033246 600m 9/66 G.W.B.Ltd. Gp.963

and Washington).

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