0003230
G.F. 323
CONFIDENTIAL
12.
2
With regard to the construction of a bridge and dam by the C.T. villagers, the south end of the bridge will be on the B.T. bank of the river, and the dam, if constructed, will span the river which is technically British Teritory. There is therefore a breach of sovereignty.
13.
In the practical view the bridge is unlikely to affect security, any more than that present primitive stone slab bridge. We can only speculate on the width of the new bridge, but I suspect that it will be wide enough to take such farming equipment as a tractor. It follows that at a future date we can expect the Lo Fong villagers to bring tructors into B.T. to farm their land. In this respect a tractor was used on their U.T. land a few months ago.
14. With regard to the possibility of a dam on the river, there are already a number of such dams all along the length of the river as far as Man Kam To. The C.T. villagers have traditionally used the water from the river for irrigation purposes, and I do not consider that another dam is going to make much difference. It will not as I see it deprive B.T. farmers of their share of the water.
15:
In the event the position is almost one of fait accompli, and I do not recommend any action or representations at a local level.
M. 6'Sullivan) D.S./Frontier.
CONFIDENTIAL
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