TNAG-0039-FCO40-75-Border-incidents-with-China-1967 — Page 78

SECRET

COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TELEGRAM NO. 2334. TO HONG KONG (D.T.D.)

M

2

>

SENIOR INSPECTOR KNIGHT ON 14 OCTOBER OR OTHER ACTS OF VIOLENCE IN THE BORDER AREA, HAVE NECESSARILY SUFFERED IN CONSEQUENCE OF THESE EVENTS. UNQUOTE.

ABOVE FORMULATION WOULD ALSO EMBODY CONCEPT OF EX GRATIA PAYMENTS WITHOUT SPELLING THIS OUT TO AN EXTENT WHICH MIGHT LEAD TO ENDLESS ARGUMENT WITH CHINESE,

4. WE REALISE THAT ALL THIS MIGHT WELL LOOK DIFFERENT WHEN

PUT INTO CANTONESE, BUT WE THINK THERE MIGHT BE SOME PRESENTATIONAL ADVANTAGE IN FOREGOING SUGGESTIONS SO FAR AS ENGLISH TEXT IS CONCERNED

5. YOUR PARAGRAPH 4. WE THINK IT WOULD BE BETTER THAT NEGOTIATORS SHOULD SAY THEY WERE AWAITING INSTRUCTIONS WITHOUT USING LANGUAGE THAT WOULD INDICATE WHERE THOSE INSTRUCTIONS WERE COMING FROM. 6. GRATEFUL FOR YOUR VIEWS.

CROSEC

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

C.O. H.K.D.

I. & G.D.

F.E. & P.D.

DEFENCE DEPT.

NEWS DEPT.

F.0. F.E.D.

J.I.R.D.

D.I.S. M.O.D.

FFFFF

SECRET