TNAG-0022-FCO40-58-Facilities-for-US-Forces-1968 — Page 5

SECRET

-2-

CARRIERS, THE YORKTOWN AND THE 'KEARSAGE', WHICH HAD EVIDENTLY

INCLUDED UNDER THE MISTAKEN IMPRESSION THAT THEY WERE STRIKE CARRIERS

3.1 TINK THE AMERICANS HAVE A GOOD CASE AND HOPE THAT YOU WILL BE

ABLE TO AUTHORISE US TO MODIFY THE POINT AT 3(B) BY DELETING 'HELI-

COPTER OR TROOP CARRIER'.

4. WHITING, WHO LED THE AMERICAN SIDE IN THESE DISCUSSIONS, LEAVES

HONG KONG ON 1ST SEPTEMBER AND WILL BE AVAILABLE IN WASHINGTON FOR

DISCUSSIONS WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT FROM 3RD TO 6TH SEPTEMBER.

I THINK HE WILL BE A USEFUL EMISSARY FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW. IT

WOULD BE HELPFUL, THEREFORE, IF A DECISION COULD BE TAKEN ON MY

PRECEDING PARAGRAPH BY 3RD SEPTEMBER.

CO PLEASE PASS PRIORITY TO PEKING.

SIR D. TRENCH

[REPEATED AS REQUESTED/

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

C.O. H.K.D.

F.O. F.E.D.

C.0. F.E. & P.D.

F.0. DEFENCE DEPT.

S.E.A.D.

P.U.S.D.

NEWS DEPT.

SECRET