TNAG-0022-FCO40-58-Facilities-for-US-Forces-1968 — Page 23

CONFIDENTIAL

ARGUMENT

3. It appears that the Chinese reached the decision to grant exit

viers to members of the Kission without having secured any signifi-

cent concession in Hong Kong, for example over U.S. naval visits.

If their undertaking to issue visas was given in good faith, I think

that they are likely to issue them unless there is some development

in Hong Kong which they would consider extremely provocative, e.g•

visit of the USS "Enterprise" or possibly a nuclear ship, neither

of which is in prospect. The "izertca" is due on 10 urat, by hy

which time we should have received some at least of the vines still

outstanding; and it seems unlikely that the Chinese would revoke

them after they had been issued or prevent departures by admini-

strative means. In view of this and of the great inconvenience

which cancellation of the visit would cause, I think that we

should let it stand.

CONFIDENTIAL

(James Yurray}

31 July, 1960