TNAG-0023-FCO40-59-Facilities-for-US-Forces-1968 — Page 23

CONFIDENTIAL

Cypher/Cat A

PRIORITY PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

263

Tno. 926

CONFIDENTIAL

4 October 1968

Addressed to F.G. telegram No. 926 of 4 October Repeated for information to:

260

Hong Kong.

Hong Kong telegram No. 2045: Naval Visits.

HVV

RECOED IN

ARCHIO No.63 -7 OCTROC

HWB 2/1

"Long

Obviously I should prefer this visit not to take place. Beach" is big and nuclear, the first large nuclear-powered vessel to visit Hong Kong since "Enterprise". Your telegram No. 1412 to Hong Kong indicated readiness to consider 2 additional visits a year by smaller (repeat smaller) nuclear vessels "depending on the state of our relations with China at any given time". Although relations have recently improved to some degree we are a very long way from being out of the wood altogether and visits like this risk delaying the process of normalisation.

2. Nevertheless I would not press these objections if you and Hong Kong have strong view to the contrary.

F.0. pass Priority Hong Kong

Mr. Cradock

[Rerated as requested]

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

C.O.

H.K.D.

F.O.

F.E.D.

C.O.

Defence Dept.

F.E. & P.D.

News Dept.

7.0.

77777

Defence Dept.

S.E.A.D.

P.U.S.D. News Dept. DIS M.O.D.

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CONFIDENTIAL