TNAG-0333-FCO40-369-Visits-of-Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Commonwealth-Af-1972 — Page 66

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5. THE TRAVEL SITUATION IS BECOMING CLEARER. IT NOW LOOKS A3

THOUGH MOST OF THOSE TRAVELLING FROM LONDON WILL ARRIVE IN

HONG KONG ON A BOAC SCHEDULED FLIGHT ON 23 OCTOBER. THE CFARQUHAFS

AND POSSIBLEY ONE OR TWO OTHERS (IE INGRAM AND WAIGHT) HOPE TO

TRAVEL ON A CHARTER FLICHT VIA SINGAPORE. IN ANY EVENT, THERE WILL

BE A SINGLE GROUP FOR THE CHINESE TO COPE WITH, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF CHARLES SMITH (FT) AND, POSSIBLY, THE AMERICANS.

6.

WHILE THE LONDON--BASED JOURNALISTS CONCERNED WILL HAVE NO CHOICE

BUT TO KICK THEIR HEELS IN HONG KONG FOR TWO OR THREE DAYS IF THE 24 OCTOBER ARRIVAL IS NOT APPROVED, THE FAR EAST-BASED CORRESPONDENTS (WHO MAY HAVE OTHER WORK THEY COULD GET ON WITH) VOULD VALJE AN EARLY DECISION ON THE ARRIVAL DATE. GRATEFUL

THEREFORE IF YOU WOULD ASK CHINESE FOR AN EARLY DECISION.

7. IT HAS NOW BEEN DECIDED THAT GEORGE HOLT, NOT (NOT) DEPYK JAMES, WILL BE THE CO1 CORRESPONDENT ACCOMPANYING THE OFFICIAL PARTY. BRIAN BEEDHATI (ECONOMIST) WILL NOT REPEAT KOT NOW VISIT

CHINA AT THIS TIME.

3. YOUR TELEGRAM NUMBER 1325 OF 13 OCTOBER: WE ARE NOT YET ABLE

TO PROVIDE INFOR ATION ON JOURNALISTS' DEPARTURE PLANS. HOWEVER

THERE WILL BE NO SPACE FOR THEM ON SECRETARY OF STATE'S AIRCRAFT,

-SO IT WILL BE BY SCHEDULED SERVICE OR SERVICES.

DOUCLAS-HOME

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