TNAG-0058-FCO40-94-Armed-Forces-exercise-Caricature-1967 — Page 51

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Commonwealth Office was represented.

The Chiefs of Staff

agreed that "Although they were very anxious that the amphibious

exercise should take place, they would invite the Chief of the

General Staff to discuss its possible implications with the

Commander-in-Chief, Far East, the Commander British Forces,

Hong Kong, and the Governor of Hong Kong on his forthcoming tour."

We do not know whether the C.G.S. held these discussions, but

I understand he is due to return to London on 3 February.

In discussion, the point was made that there might be some

danger of this exercise being misunderstood and even construed

as provocative.

6. If it is agreed that we should advise that this exercise

should be cancelled, the best course would be, I think, for

Sir J. Hennie to write to Mr. Cooper to ask him to put out point

of view to the Chiefs of Staff.

7. I should also add thut there has clearly been a breakdown

Pust

in communication about the exercise. I just heard of it in

a personal letter from the Political Adviser, Hong Kong

After (paragraphs 5 to 8 of his letter of 27 January).

consulting our Defence Department, who had heard of it "for

information" only a few days previously, and the Commonwealth

Office, who had not heard of it at all, we despatched the attached telegram (Cormonwealth Office to Hong Kong No. 203) asking for urgent comments and additional information about the exercise. I suggest that we should now enquire why we were not

consulted much earlier on about the possible political

/implications

SICHET