CONFIDENTIAL
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
(The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (0.A.G.)
JUL
10
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བ
1967
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Cypher
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10 July, 1967. 10
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0820Z
RECEN
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"!
IMMEDIATE
CONFIDENTIAL No. 995.
Addressed to Commonwealth Office. Repeated "Peking No. 399.
" POLAD Singapore No. Washington No. 220.
10
HWB 8/1
228.
(S. of S. please pass to all).
(22)
My telegram No. 988.
Sha Tau Kok.
That telegram contained a more detailed account of events at Sha Tau Kok on 8 July. It supplemented and corrected in some respects the Sitreps sent by me and the services as events occurred. It does not alter the following important facts:-
(a)
crowds, including militia members, assembled in Chinese territory and crossed into British territory to demonstrate and to attack the police post;
(b)
many, and certainly the opening, shots with ball ammunition were fired from Chinese territory;
(c)
minimum force was used by police in the forward post who used only tear gas and baton shells in attempts to disperse villagers; they had only carbines and pistols but only when under automatic small arms fire and attack by explosive did they use even these.
2. As regards Chinese reply to Hopson's representations (for which I am most grateful) their admission that a demonstration formed up in their territory, crossed the border, confronted the police who were obliged to defend themselves, and that thereafter their border guards opened fire seems to me to condemn them out of hand. Such irresponsible behaviour, including deliberate border crossing, in a delicate situation deserves the strongest possible condemnation.
3.
In the light of the above I have the following comments on the assessment contained in J.I.C. telegram No. 480:-
(a) the Gurkhas' action, which was completed with speed
and precision, resulted in their being in complete control at Sha Tau Kok by 1700 hours;
LAST
RCF.
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