TNAG-0039-FCO40-75-Border-incidents-with-China-1967 — Page 46

Cypher/Cat.A

SECRET

TOP COLY

IMMEDIATE

HONG KONG

ΤΟ

Telno. 1727

COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (D.T.D.)

21 November 1967

SECRET

(203 My telegram No. 1726:

Hong Kong Border.

204

Discussions on the 21

November were conducted in a friendly atmosphere and there was an absence of histrionics. No mention was made of Senior Inspector Knight by either side. Discussion centred upon amount of payment to peasants (including the effect of devaluation upon it), what the Shumchun authorities could say about the nature of the payment when handing it to the Commune (their proposed wording was largely objective but included the word "compensation"), and the timing of the removal of the immigration fence (Chinese are now asking for completion within a longer peiod, 60 days).

2. No agreement was reached and the meeting broke up at the appointed time with a proposal from the Chinese side that another meeting be held on 23 November.

3 a Negotiators impression was that during latter half of the meeting Chinese side were stalling and making no real attempt to conclude agreement.

Sir D. Trench

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

C.O.

F.0.

H.K.D. I. & G.D. News Dept.

F.E.D.

J.I.P.G.D.

J.I.R.D.

O.L.A. O.P.A.

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HWB 411.