Reference. HKK 6/304/1
followed certainly illustrates the need for some "stiffening".
10. On the guidance to be given to Hong Kong I am in general agreement with the line of Mr. Dunnett's Submission. I am not sure whether it would be timely to recommend any changes in the draft telegram when it is very likely that in its final Board of Trade form it will be different. That would be the time I think for FCO changes, if any, to be made. But at this stage I think there would be something to be said for redrafting the first paragraph as follows:
"You will have seen the record of Mr. Stans' conversations in London contained in my telegram No. 954 to Washington. On matters of concern to Hong Kong our approach with Stans was to demon- strate to him both our strong moral support for Hong Kong and our keen interest in the subject. This line was followed at the highest level and we want you to know this. It was useful to have Sellers as an observer and he will no doubt have reported fully."
11. This redraft takes some of the material out of paragraph 5 which would consequently need alteration. Further alteration of course might be necessary when the role of the UK representa- tive was finally decided.
Mmv
(H. H. Stewart) 1 May, 1969
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