TNAG-0022-FCO40-58-Facilities-for-US-Forces-1968 — Page 148

CYPHER/CAT A

FLASH COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

TELNO.1150

CONFIDENTIAL

TO HONG KONG

14 JUNE 1968

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CONFIDENTIAL.

PERSONAL FOR POLITICAL ADVISER FROM MURRAY.

U.S. NAVAL VISITS.

OUR FIRST REACTION WAS TO AGREE WITH YOU THAT THE VISIT BY U.S.S. TI CONDEROGA SHOULD TAKE PLACE AS PROPOSED. IN ORDER THAT MINISTERS SHOULD BE FULLY AWARE OF ALL ASPECTS OF THE PROBLEM WE THOUGHT THAT WE SHOULD AWAIT SIR D. HOP SON'S FULL ASSESSMENT OF THE WIDER ISSUES BEFORE WE SOUGHT THEIR ENDORSEMENT OF OUR VIEW. THIS ASSESSMENT HAS NOT YET ARRIVED AND IN VIEW OF THE WEEKEND IT MAY NOW BE DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN A MINISTERIAL DECISION BEFORE NOON

G.M.T. ON 17 JUNE.

2. 1 MUCH REGRET THE POSITION THE DELAY PLACES YOU IN VIS A VIS THE AMERICANS. IN EXPRESSING YOUR REGRETS TO THEM ABOUT THE

PRESENT UNCERTAINTY, PLEASE DO YOUR BEST TO REASSURE THEM THAT

OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO ENSURE THAT THE QUESTION OF U.S. NAVAL VISITS

TO HONG KONG DOES NOT BECOME A MAJORE ISSUE OF FACE FOR THE

CHINESE IN THEIR DEALINGS WITH US.

CROSEC

FILES

F.0. C.O.

F.E.D. H.K.DEPT.

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CONFIDENTIAL

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