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7. From the foregoing, it is clear there is general argument that
the USS "Enterprise" should be treated as a special case, and if a
visit were requested we should have to think very carefully before
agreeing. As regards the visits of nuclear vessels, Sir D. Hopson
was correct to point out that the spacing proposed by the Governor
(i.e. a minimum of two months between each visit) might result in
six visite a year. In accepting it, our intention was to emphasise
epacing, not numbers, and we agree that the interpretative notes of
the guidelines should be amended to restrict visits to the existing
level, 1.0. four visits a year. If this is literally interpreted
however, there would be no more visits during 1968 and the local Com-
munists might receive the erroneous impression that such visits had
been suspended, with possible difficulties for us when they were
resumed next year. This could be circumvented if the next yearly
period were reckoned from 1 July, thma allowing one or at the maxi-
mum two, more visita in 1968.
8.
The main difference between Sir D. Hopson and the ücvernor con-
cerns the level of the visits of major ships in general. The latter
argues that restriction to one major ship a month would be of no real
help in improving Sino-British relations and would only result in
worsening relations with the Americens. To have a significantly bene-
ficial effect, visits would need to be cancelled or very drastically
reduced. This would clearly be wrong as it would provide a gratui-
tous victory for the local Communists and would depress confidence.
It would also have undesirable repercussions on Anglo-American defence
relations, and possibly also on Anglo-American relations generally.
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