TNAG-0206-FCO40-242-Construction-of-a-cross-harbour-tunnel--under-Hong-Kong-harb-1969 — Page 122

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ROUTINE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

TELEGRAM NUMBER 42

TO HONG KONG

17 JANUARY 1969.

(F HKK 21/4)

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YOUR TELEGRAM 45: CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL.

ECGD AND FRENCH OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT AS IS REGULAR PRACTICE OVER COMMERCIAL SECURITY ASPECT OF TUNNEL PROJECT. IT SEEMS THAT IN THE COURSE OF RECENT DISCUSSIONS FRENCH OFFICIALS FLOATED TENTATIVE SUGGESTION THAT JOINT FINANCE MIGHT SERVE TO REDUCE COMMERCIAL RISK FOR BOTH AGENCIES. WE HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE HOW MONTAGUE LEARNED ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROPOSAL WHICH HE HAS EVIDENTLY REPORTED INCORRECTLY. WE WILL INFORM YOU OF ANY FIRM DEVELOPMENTS BUT MATTER IS NO FURTHER THAN STAGE OF OFFICIAL EXPLORATION AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT IN ANY CASE THE FRENCH WILL NOT BE TAKING A DECISION ON THE PROJECT UNTIL WELL INTO FEBRUARY. WE LEAVE IT TO YOUR DISCRETION HOW MUCH OF THIS IS PASSED ON

دانم

STEWART.

FILES

HONG KONG DEPT.

SIR A.

GALSWORTHY

MR. MORET ON

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