TNAG-0022-FCO40-58-Facilities-for-US-Forces-1968 — Page 63

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RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES N. 63

JUL 1968

CYPHER CAT A

PRIORITY HONG KONG

TELEGRAM NUMBER 905

299

TOP CUPY

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HW

TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

18 JULY 1968

CONFIDENTIAL

ADDRESSED CO TELEGRAM NO. 905 OF 18TH JULY REPEATED PEKING,

WASHINGTON AND PA SINGAPORE.

229

MY TELEGRAM NO. 833 : U.S. NAVAL VISITS.

THE AMERICANS HAVE NOW INFORMED US THAT 'BONHOMME RICHARD'

CANNOT, AFTER ALL, BE RESCHEDULED TO VISIT HONG KONG BETWEEN

25 AND 30 JULY CMY TELEGRAM NO. 885). WE HAVE THEREFORE AGREED

TO THE REINSTATEMENT OF THE 'BOSTON! VISIT.

2. FROM ADVANCE INFORMATION RECEIVED HERE, I EXPECT THE FOLLOWING

LARGE SHIPS TO REQUEST VISITS TO HONG KONG DURING AUGUST AND SEPT-

-2MBER:-

'AMERICA' CATTACK CARRIER) 10 16 AUGUST.

'ST. PAUL' CCRUISER) 20

Ak

27 AUGUST.

'CONSTELLATION' CATTACK CARRIER) 4

-

10 SEPTEMBER.

'BENNINGTON' CANTI-SUBMARINE CARRIER) 21 27 SEPTEMBER.

3. THIS PROGRAMME IS WELL WITHIN THE CURRENT GUIDELINES.

I WOULD THEREFORE LIKE YOUR EARLY AGREEMENT TO MY APPROVING THESE

VISITS AS THE REQUESTS FOR CLEARANCE COME THROUGH. SO FAR,

WE HAVE RECEIVED SUCH REQUESTS FOR 'AMERICA' AND 'ST. PAUL.

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