TNAG-0511-FCO40-576-Visits-of-ships-from-Soviet-Union-to-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 71

CONFIDENTIAL

3. You will wish to refer this to Hong Kong for their comments. It is possible that the local authorities have been unnecessarily abrasive in the way they have handled Soviet crews. On the other hand, if the Russians have been up to their tricks again in the Colony, this treatment would be no more than they deserve. The Legal Advisers and Marine and Transport Department may also like to comment in view of Kudryavtsev's reference to the 1968 Merchant Navigation Treaty.

20 August 1974

Copy to:

Mr Hendry, Legal Advisers Marine & Transport Department PUSD

Chancery, Moscow

N. Wivay

рр

C JR Meyer

East European and

Soviet Department

CONFIDENTIAL