TNAG-0023-FCO40-59-Facilities-for-US-Forces-1968 — Page 48

Sir D. Allen

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr. Correc

255

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(245)

Problem

U.. Naval Visits to Hong Kong

It was agreed that there should be no formal review of

our policy on naval visits to Hong Kong (my submission of (45) 31 July) but that we should discuss informally with the

Americans in Hong Kong amendments and additions to the

interpretative notes to the guide lines to take into account,

in particular, the need to restrict the visits of nuclear

vessels to the present level and to space the visits of all

vessels adequately. The Hong Kong authorities were asked to

seek American agreement to a revision of the interpretative

notes on the following lines (C.0. telegrɑm No. 1346 to Hong

Kong).

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(249)

(a)

(b)

Visits of nuclear vessels should be spaced at intervals of

at least two months and the present level of four a year

should not in general be exceeded.

There should be no potentially controversial visits in

the two-week period following the visit of a nuclear-

powered vessel, strike carrier, or helicopter or troop

carrier.

(c)

The Americans should give us the maximum possible notice

of the visits of major ships.

(a)

Visits by "particularly controversial ships" (defined as

those which are nuclear-powered) might in future last less

than 5 days.

/ (e)

Any future

CONFIDENTIAL