13144
SECRET
3. Any of these visits could be regarded by Chinese as provocative, particularly at this time. Arrival of strike carrier F.D.R. within a fortnight of Chinese protests would not only be likely to lead to a renewed and possibly sustained campaign by pro-Chinese communist press, but could also obviously complicate the situation so far as any possible conference on Vietnam was concerned. Since a decision in these circumstances involves more than purely local considerations you may think that there are strong general reasons for H.M.G. suggesting to the U.S. Govern- ment that the ship's visit at this time be cancelled.
4. Attitude towards visit in paragraph 2(b) and (c) above would need further consideration in light of the decision about F.D. ROOSEVELT. My present feeling is that visit (b) might stand, provided that U.S. naval authorities were asked to make special arrangements to minimise publicity about presence of Commander 7th Fleet. Visit (c) however raises exceptionally difficult problems in view of nature and role of the ship: and it seems undesirable at present.
5.
Grateful for earliest possible comment.
(Repeated as requested)
(Passed to Resident Clerk)
Copy sent to:
Foreign Office
(Far East Department) Mr. J.B. Denson
SECRET
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