TNAG-0024-FCO40-60-Visits-by-nuclear-powered-ships-1968 — Page 135

a visit in the summer would be at the worst possible

time

10 4 Potein

Peking should decide to take notice

believe

I am right in saying that previous visits by nuclear

ships to Hong Kong have all taken place between September and March. A proposed visit by the "Enterprise" in July

last year which we were prepared to accept, did not come

off.

Bros

On the whole, therefore, it seems reasonable to us

of ine

to request the postponement/ visit until the autumn ̧if

not its cancellation. Since we should, I consider, require

the Americans (including the company) not to make prop-

aganda out of the visit and not to put the ship further

into Hong Kong Harbour than nuclear warships have been

the purpose of the visit, ou firs allowed to proceed, it does not appear that the US or

the Americami

could be the company would have strong grounds for objecting if Kirgely mullified his day count.

کے سام

K

نشد

the visit were refused. I should, however, be grateful

for your early views. You will note from the enclosures

to this letter that the Americans hope that "Savannah"

Would sail for Hong Kong on or about the 17th May.

M

If the visit does take place the necessary arrange-

woul

ments to be made which seem to be:

monitor team; on this I shall be

1) The provision of a monetery

grateful if the Navy Department will say whether a team

would be available and if so what its approximate cost

would be. It seems to me that this would be a fair charge

on the Americans.

2) The signing of a liability agreement covering the

visit. This could, presumably, be covered either by the

extenfion to Hong Kong of the agreement contained in

Command 2411, or by an agreement on the lines of the draft

forwarded by Lyons. This is, I think, a matter primarily

for consideration by your department.

3) With regard to the safety aspects of the visit, the

International Convention for Safety at Sea 1960, has been

extended to Hong Kong, Provided, therefore, that the

meght

they

there

2 ford

raise the quartion.

attempt to make Something out &

the foresai

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