TNAG-0653-FCO40-802-Previously-closed-extract-Folio-87.-Now-released-and-reunite-1977 — Page 49

CONFIDENTIAL

5. IT IS USEFUL TO HAVE THE CONCESSION MENTIONED IN PARA 5 OF HONG KONG TELEGRAM UNDER REFERENCE IN RESERVE. WE SHOULD PERHAPS

NOT OFFER IT AT THIS STAGE SINCE IT MAY BE OF MOST USE FOLLOWING MAIDEEN'S DEPARTURE. THERE WAS A CORRUPTION IN THE SECOND SENTENCE

OF PARA 1 OF YOUR TELEGRAM UNDER REFERENCE AS RECEIVED. ASSUMING WHAT WAS SUGGESTED WAS THAT YOU WOULD ADVOCATE APPOINTING RICHARDSON AND YOUR WIFE AS VICE CONSULS WE SHOULD BE READY TO CONSIDER THIS, BUT NOT AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE ATTEMPT TO GET OFFICERS INTO SAIGON FOR THE PERIOD OF THE PRESENT EVACUATION

EXERCISE.

6. PLEASE NOW APPROACH THE VIETNAMESE AS YOU JUDGE BEST, ON THE POSSIBILITY OF A TEMPORARY REINFORCEMENT OF STAFF FROM HONG KONG TO ASSIST MAIDEEN WITH THE INCREASED WORKLOAD.

7. WE AGREE THAT IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF MAIDEEN COULD JOIN YOU IN HONG KONG THIS MONTH FOR DISCUSSIONS AND THAT THIS SHOULD BE AT OFFICIAL EXPENSE (PLEASE QUOTE THIS TELEGRAM AS AUTHORITY).

OWEN.

!!!

FILES

SEAD

NTD

HK&GD

MVD

PSD

RPD

CONS DEPT

PS/LORD GORONWY ROBERTS

MR CORTAZZI

MR MURRAY

MR HAWLEY

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CONFIDENTIAL