TNAG-0497-FCO40-562-Deportation-of-foreign-nationals-from-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 132

CONFIDENTIAL

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"deaths", suvely

5. When Brian Barder called on Joseph, the acting Head of the Mainland Branch of the South Asia Division of the DFA, to discuss the points in paras 2 & 4 of FCO telegram No 102 to The Hague, he took the opportunity to repeat to him our concern at the leak of the telegram (and also at the DFA's failure to consult us before sending their letter to the "Nation Review" see para 2 of Canberra telegram No 702 of 1 August). Joseph confirmed the DFA view that the leak of the telegram probably originated in Dr Cairns's office but he thought it unlikely that the investigation would succeed in establishing this unequivocally. We should not therefore be surprised if the outcome of the investigation proved to be insubstantial. He well understood and shared our concern. On the question of the DFA letter, Joseph said he had taken the point and would see that it was duly recorded so that there should be no recurrence.

6.

Joseph also told Barder that this whole subject had become a matter of "bitter confrontation" between Dr Cairns and Senator Willesee. Dr Cairns's "request" to the Foreign Minister to investigate the reports of the leaks of 14 of the Vietnamese (copy of story in "The Australian" enclosed) had been couched in "the most peremptory terms".

Enc 1

Jours

ever

Math Callenders

(M H Callender)

Copy to:

A D Brighty Esq, British Embassy, Saigon Political Adviser, Government House, Hong Kong SWPD, FCO

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