TNAG-0022-FCO40-58-Facilities-for-US-Forces-1968 — Page 125

CONF MENTIAL

being.

this would certainly be seized on by local

Communists and exploited to the detrement of

confidence in the Colony. I do, however,

agree with Sir D. Hopson that the situation

has changed considerably since last year and

whatever the extent of China's genuine fears

war shipp about the presence of American vessels or the

I think, with the Governor, that

difficulties they create internally, the

Chinese are undoubtedly more sensitive to the

visits than before and will use them as a

pretext for dating delaying exit visas to the

Mission. We must therefore emphasise to the

Americans the importance of carefully spaced artenbly large vessels.

the

visits, adequate notice and of particular.

difficulties with nuclear vessels.

I think

We

3. The Governor has suggested in paragraph 8 of Hong Kong telegram No. 739 some points which might be made. An additonal point is

contained in Hong Kong telegram no. 703, 1.e.

that visits of nucelar vessels should be

limited to one every two months. that all these points are sound.

might also add a reference to the special

position of the "Enterprise" because of its

close involvement with operations in Vietnam and the demonstrations by the Japanese Left

Wing against its visit to Japan.

We might stud

also mention the desiraŭlity of so far as possible not allowing the knowledge of the

dates of arrival of American naval vessels

become public longer in advance than is

/absolutely

to

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