TNAG-0039-FCO40-75-Border-incidents-with-China-1967 — Page 40

YPHE CAT.A.

FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING

TELNO. 993

SECRET

20 NOVEMBER, 1967

(F)

207

SECRET

ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELNO 993 OF 20 NOVEMBER REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG.

MY TELEGRAM NO. 986: BORDER TALKS

FURTHER MEETINGS WERE HELD ON 17 AND 18 NOVEMBER. INITIALLY THERE WAS A GREATER PROPAGANDA CONTENT IN WHAT THE CHINESE SIDE SAID BUT THIS SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A NEGOTIATING GAMBIT AND DETAILED DISCUSSIONS WERE CARRIED OUT ON BOTH OCCASIONS. FURTHER TALKS WERE DUE TO BE HELD ON 20 NOVEMBER BUT WERE CALLED OFF BY THE CHINESE AT THE LAST MINUTE ALTHOUGH THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD PROPOSE ANOTHER DATE. PRESUMABLY THIS IS BECAUSE SITUATION HAS BEEN CONFUSED BY KNIGHT'S ESCAPE (DETAILS OF WHICH ARE STILL NOT CLEAR).

2. MINISTERS HAVE DECIDED THAT AGREEMENT SHOULD, IF POSSIBLE, BE REACHED BASED ON AN EXCHANGE OF CAPTIVES CONCERNED AND REMOVAL OF CERTAIN WIRE ENTANGLEMENTS ON OUR SIDE TOGETHER WITH

*

EX GRATIA PAYMENTS TO CHINESE PEASANTS, WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE POSITIONING OF WIRE ENTANGLEMENTS OR CLOSING OF THE MAN

KAM TO BRIDGE.

SOSFA

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.0. C.O.

F.E.D. H.K.D.

SECRET