TNAG-0038-FCO40-74-Border-incidents-with-China-1967 — Page 94

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5. There was no reference back to higher authority. After receiving the statement the arms were handed back and the party recrossed into Chinese territory at 1250 hours where they were received by a substantial crowd, well equipped with banners etc., which had gathered.

6. As expected, the episode was front page news in the Communist press, though the published account was grossly embellished to give the impression of surrender. Fortunately our version was put out well in advance of theirs. The Chinese have not published the text of our statement, presumably because it does not accord with their own account of the events. We decided also not to give it further publicity by publishing it.

7. The incident was certainly open to interpretations damaging to our interests but we have sought in all possible ways to minimise this and not to let it affect confidence in Government's determination. I think we have not done too badly.

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