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5. THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION POSED IN YOUR PARAGRAPH 4 IS THAT THE PRIVATE AIR CARGO COMPANY TOOK A PERFECTLY LEGITIMATE INTIATIVE IN OPENING THE SUITCASE. THERE IS NO QUESTION OF DISCIPLINARY STEPS BEING TAKEN AGAINST ANYONE BECAUSE IT IS SIMPLY NOT KNOWN HOW A FRACTION OF THE INFORMATION IN A DOCUMENT IN AN ABANDONED SUITCASE FELL INTO THE HANDS OF ONE NEWSPAPER. THE PRESS IS FREE IN HONG KONG. THERE WAS NO INDICATION ON THE SUITCASE THAT IT CARRIED PRIVILEGED DIPLOMATIC MAIL: FINALLY, THERE WAS NO ESCORT OR COURIER WITH THE DIPLOMATIC MAIL.
6. IF THERE IS TO BE ANY BLAME ATTACHED TO ANYONE FOR THIS MUDDLE, THERE IS NO QUESTION BUT THAT IT MUST LIE AT THE AIRLINE'S DOOR OR THE CONGOLESE OFFICIAL WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFE DESPATCH
OF THE MATERIAL.
7. WE HOPE THAT YOU CAN REBUT ANY CHARGES OF NEGLIGENCE OR
IMPROPRIETY IN CLEAR TERMS. THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN COURTEOUS ENOUGH TO RETURN THE ARMS, WHICH INCLUDED STOLEN PROPERTY,
ALONG
WITH ALL THE CONTENTS OF THE SUITCASE AND WE HOPE
THE CONGOLESE FOREIGN MINISTRY WILL RECOGNISE THAT WE ACTED COURTEOUSLY
AND DISCREETLY ONCE THE INITIAL NEWS THAT THE SUITCASE HAD BEEN
OPENED CAME TO THE OFFICIAL NOTICE OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
HKO GD
WAD
PUSD
UN D
SEC.D
RHODESIA D
MR MURRAY
2
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