CYPHER CAT A
FROM HONG KONG 131010Z
SECRET
SECRET
TO ROUTINE F.C.0. TELEGRAM NUMBER 23 OF 13 JANUARY 1971
PERSONAL FOR MONSON
MY TELEGRAM NUMBER 7.
LAST
REF.
3)
NEXT
REF.
AT THE REGULAR MONTHLY INFORMAL MEETING
WITH UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS
OF EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON 12TH JANUARY, AFTER THE FORMAL MEETING, I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO RAISE THE QUESTION OF THE DEFENCE CONTRIBUTION IN GENERAL TERMS IN AN ENDEAVOUR TO SEE IF I COULD
GET ANY USEFUL PRELIMINARY REACTIONS.
2. UNQUESTIONABLY TO GET ANY CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN THE PRESENT
CONTRIBUTION ACCEPTED IS NOT GOING TO BE EASY, AND I AM AFRAID
CHINESE MEMBERS DID REVERT TO, AND. SUGGEST RAISING AGAIN WITH YOU THE PRINCIPLE THAT THE METROPOLITAN WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFENCE
OF ITS COLONIES. 1 DID MY BEST TO IMPRESS ON THEM THAT FURTHER ·
ARGUMENT ON PRINCIPLE WAS NOT LIKELY TO BE PRODUCTIVE: BUT WHATEVER
AGREEMENT WE REACH BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, THEY ARE LIKELY TO BE HOSTILE
IN PUBLIC, BASING THEIR CASE ON THIS PRINCIPLE.
3. I DID HOWEVER SENSE A CERTAIN DEGREE OF ACCEPTANCE (PERHAPS
FROM THE NON-CHINESE MEMBERS IN PARTICULAR ) FOR THE GENERAL
PROPOSITION THAT WE SHOULD BASE OUR OFFER ON THE LOCAL EXPENDITURE
WHICH ACCRUES TO THE HONG KONG ECONOMY.
/4.ON THE
SECRET
IN
R
No. $1
| HKK10/9
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.