TNAG-0031-FCO40-67-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 58

CYPHER/CAT A

ROUTINE BERNE

TELEGRAM NUMBER 124

CONFIDENTIAL

TO FOREIGN OFFICE

3 JULY 1968.

619

LAST

CONFIDENTIAL

RES

606A

ADDRESSED TO FOREIGN OFFICE TEL NO. 124 OF 3/7

h

RF I TO PEKING.

606A1

Ref.

643 645

YOUR TEL NO. 358 OF 1 JULY TO BERNE: EXIT VISAS FROM PEKING. A FACTOR TO BEAR IN MIND IS THAT SWISS RELATIONS WITH THE

CHINESE WERE VERY BAD LAST SUMMER OWING TO THE PRESENCE

OF TIBETAN REFUGEES HERE. MY CHANCERY LETTERS 10234

OF 11, 14 AND 21 AUGUST LAST REFER. THOUGH,

WE HAVE HEARD LESS OF THE TIBETAN PROBLEM HERE RECENTLY

IT COULD EASILY FLARE UP AGAIN.

2. IT IS ALSO RELEVANT THAT ROSSETTI, SWISS AMBASSADOR IN PEKING, WAS INSTRUCTED LAST SUMMER TO SEEK THE COOPERATION OF HIS DIPLOMATIC COLLEAGUES IN ORGANIZING A JOINT APPROACH TO TRY TO PERSUADE THE CHINESE TO ADHERE

TO NORMAL DIPLOMATIC PRACTICE.

MY TEL NO. 18 SAVING OF 1 SEPTEMBER LAST REFERS.

3. THE SWISS WOULD CERTAINLY BE VERY SYMPATHETIC AND

I THINK THAT THEY WOULD CO-OPERATE IN ANY JOINT

APPROACH TO THE CHINESE IN PEKING BY ALL OR MAJORITY OF DIPLOMATIC CORPS THERE., BUT IN VIEW OF TIBETAN PROBLEM THEY MIGHT NOT BE VERY KEEN ON MAKING INDIVIDUAL

APPROACH TO CHINESE EITHER IN PEKING OR BERNE, SINCE

THIS WOULD MAKE THEIR ACTION MORE CONSPICUOUS.

THERE WOULD BE NO DIFFICULTY IN DISCUSSING THE PROBLEM FRANKLY WITH THEM. SWISS WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY NOT

WANT TO BE MENTIONED IN ANY PUBLICITY.

F.0. PASS PEKING.

MR. BRITTEN /REPETITION TO PEKING REFERRED FOR DEPARTMENTAL DECISION/

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.0.

F.E.D. WESTERN DEPT NORTHERN DEPT EASTERN DEPT.

F.O. N.E.A.D.

W.C.A.D.

S.E.A.D.

RESEARCH DEPT

CONFIDENTI AL

0.0. H.K.D.

S.A.D. E.A.D.

Z.M. & S.A.D.