TNAG-0022-FCO40-58-Facilities-for-US-Forces-1968 — Page 36

3.

C.O. telegram No. 1252 drew attention to

the fact that whatever the extent of their

genuine fears the Chinese were likely to use

the visits of U.S. naval vessels to Hong Kong

as a pretext in preventing any improvement in

Sino-British relations and in particular for

It was

holding up exit visas for the Mission.

proposed to review the guide lines together

with the Americans in Hong Kong, making the

following points:

(a) That while we did not at present wish to

terminate or suspend the general arrangements

under which visits took place, there was a

requirement to space visits carefully in view

of our current difficulties with the Chinese.

That there should be no visits by

(b)

potentially controversial vessels in the fort-

night or so after a visit by a nuclear powered

ship, strike carrier or helicopter or troop

carrier to Hong Kong.

·

(c) · That the Americans should give us the

maximum possible notice of major ship visits.

(a) That visits by particularly controversial

ships might in future last less than the

customary five days.

(e) That the visits of nuclear powered ships

as such be subject to special spacing.

*

(1) That future requests for visits by the

nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS "Enterprise"

would require very careful consideration indeed,

and

/(g)