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FM F C O 6813162
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RE SECRET RECETYLE REGISTRY 0.51
LAST
REF.
47
56)
REF.
TO PRIORITY GOVERNOR HONG KONG TELEGRAM NUMBER 266 OF 8 APRIL.
YOUR TELEGRAMS NOS 225 AND 226.
DEFENCE CONTRIBUTION.
1. WE AGREE THAT NOTHING SHOULD BE DONE FOR THE MOMENT TO PRESS THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS TO PRODUCE THEIR REPLY TO THE MESSAGE
CONTAINED IN FCO TELEGRAM NO 236,
2. FROM WHAT YOU SAY IT SEEMS THAT YOU MAY NOT HAVE OPPORTUNITY
OF FURTHER DISCUSSION WITH THE UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS UNTIL AFTER THEY
HAVE PREPARED THEIR REPLY, IF THEY PRESENT YOU WITH REPLY AGREED
AMONG THEMSELVES WE THINK THAT TACTICALLY IT WOULD BE BEST IF
IN ACCEPTING IT FOR TRANSMISSION TO HMG YOU CONFINED YOURSELF
TO SAYING THAT POUNDS STERLING 8.5 MILLION WAS THE VERY MINIMUM
CONTRIBUTION TO WHICH HMG COULD REASONABLY AGREE, IF ON THE OTHER
HAND THEY WISH TO DISCUSS ANY ASPECTS OF THE PROBLEM WE MUST LEAVE
IT TO YOU TO MAKE SUCH USE AS YOU THINK FIT OF THE MATERIAL
AVAILABLE TO YOU, FOLLOWING ARE OUR VIEWS ON POINTS IN PARAGRAPH 3
OF YOUR TELMO 225:
A) THIS IS TRUE BUT THE ARGUMENT STANDS SINCE POUNDS STERLING 603
MILLION STILL REPRESENTS A VERY LARGE BURDEN OF OVERSEAS OFFICIAL DEBT AND (CF PARA 3 OF MY HO 235) EXCLUDES LONG-TERM DEBT, (B) (1) IF YOU DO NOT NOW WISH TO USE ARCUMENT ABOUT GROWTH IN
GNP WE ACCEPT YOUR ADVICE. IN ANY EVENT DIFFICULTY IN PROVIDING
RELIABLE FIGURES FOR HONG KONG WOULD TEND TO MAKE DISCUSSION ON
THIS POINT INCONCLUSIVE,
(2) IF REFERENCE IS MADE TO SINGAPORE YOU COULD SAY THAT WHILE
THE TERRITORY BENEFITED FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE COMMANDER
IN CHIEF, FAR EAST, AND A MAJOR NEXUS OF BRITISH DEFENCE
FACILITIES, IS HAS FOR MANY YEARS MAINTAINED AT ITS OWN EXPENSE ITS OWN REGULAR ARMED FORCES.
(3) WE AGREE THAT IF REFERENCE TO THE HONG KONG BUDGET SURPLUS
WILL ONLY LEAD TO FURTHER ARGUMENT OF THE KIND YOU MENTION THE
POINT SHOULD BE DROPPED.
bu 25.4.71.
چدار
14.4.71.
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