TNAG-0023-FCO40-59-Facilities-for-US-Forces-1968 — Page 42

CONFIDENTIAL

PHER/CAT A & BY BAG

PRIORITY COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

TELEGRAM NO 1412

(UP COPY

TO GOVERNOR HONG KONG

30 AUGUST 1968

(F)

CONFIDENTIAL.

ADDRESSED TO HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO 1412 OF 30 AUGUST REPEATED

FOR INFORMATION TO PEKING AND SAVING TO WASHINGTON AND POLAD

SINGAPORE.

232 YOUR TELEGRAM NO. 18121 U.8. NAVAL VISITS TO HONG KONG,

WE AGREE THAT QUOTE HELICOPTER OR TROOP CARRIERS UNQUOTE MAY

BE DELETED FROM POINT B IN PARAGRAPH 3 OF MY TELEGRAM NO. 1346.

2. THE EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON HAVE RECEIVED INDICATIONS FROM THE

AMERICAN NAVY DEPARTMENT THAT VISITS OF LESS THAN FIVE DAYS BY

NUCLEAR VESSELS WOULD IN MOST CASES BE OF MARGINAL VALUE AS

THEY WOULD NOT PERMIT THE WHOLE SHIP'S COMPANY TO GO ASHORE, WE

ARE WILLING THEREFORE TO DELETE POINT D.

3. THE EMBASSY HAVE ALSO HAD INDICATIONS THAT THE AMERICANS SEE

DIFFICULTY IN POINT A AND THEY (THE EMBASSY) HAVE SUGGESTED THAT

THE RESTRICTION TO FOUR VISITS A YEAR FOR NUCLEAR POWERED VESSELS

SHOULD NOT REPEAT NOT INCLUDE SUBMARINES AND FRIGATES. THOUGH' WE ACCEPT THAT VISITS BY SMALLER NUCLEAR SHIPS MAY ATTRACT

LAST REF.

PEX

T. F

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/LESS ATTENTION

CONFIDENTIAL