Q
HWB 2/2
CONFIDENTIAL
Dependent Territories Division,
20 April, 1967.
I enclose a copy of a telegram from Hong Kong about a proposed visit to Hong Kong of the nuclear powered ship "BAVANNAH", together with a copy of the communication from the U.S. Embassy to which the telegram refer:.
see that the "SAVANNA", is now operated by a private company who are proposing to send it on a demonstration tour of Far East ports including Hong Kong, which it is proposed to vinit on or about June 27th, 1947.
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Our
The ponsibility of such a visit was the subject of correspondence with Timme, Runciman (s.l.n.), beatherly (M.0.2.) and Clements (8.0.7.) and ending with Timms letter, F.1211/2, of the 9th March, 1965, to Carter: the general view then was that wo were not particularly keen for a visit to take place. view of the vicit new proposed, which has been discussed with Carter, romains very much the some. Apart from the considerations advanced in the correspondence referred to above, the Chinese have since that time chown themselves particularly sensitive to the visits of nuclear warships that have taken place; and although it does not follow that a visit of the "GAVAIMAH" would produce the same reaction we can see very little advantage to Hong Kong to set against the risk entailed. Furthermore, the proposed virit at the end of June would take place in the South West Monsoon season and at a time when the Chinese could, if they felt so disposed, point out that the prevailing wind would carry any radio-active leakage in their direction. I believe I as right in saying that previous vizite by nuclear chipe to Hong Kong have all taken place between September and March. proposed vicit by the "INTERPRISE" in July last year which we were prepared to accept, did not come off.
A
On the whole, therefore, it seems reasonable to us to request the postponement of the visit until the autumn, if not its cancellation. Since we should, I consider,"require the Americans (including the company) not to make propaganda out of the visit and not to put the ship further into Hong Kong Harbour than nuclear wrships have been allowed to proceed, the purpose of the visit, so far as the Americans are concerned, would be largely nullified in any
I should, however, be grateful for your early viewe. You will note from the enclosures to this letter that the Americans hope that "SAVANNAR” would sail for Hong Kong on or about the 17th May.
event.
If the visit does take place the necessary arrangements to be made would seem to be:
1) The provision of a sonitoring team; on this I shall be grateful
if the N vy Department will say whether a tean, would be available
would be. It seems to me that
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[s moulavat its, annróximit, the Americans.
afüir charge on
J. B. Denson,
Foreign Office, whitehall,
London, S.W.1.
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