TNAG-0767-FCO40-971-Supplies-of-electrical-power-for-Hong-Kong-Castle-Peak-power-1978 — Page 40

VSEE NO DIFFICULTY IN POSTPONING THE VISIT OF BENJAMIN AND

GEMMILL, AND INDEED WOULD WELCOME POSTPONEMENT IN ORDER TO (A) DIFFERENTIATE IT FROM THE CURRENT NEGOTIATIONS ON MINING

EQUIPMENT: AND

(B) GIVE HONG KONG AND OURSELVES AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER THE PROPOSALS PROPERLY BEFORE THEY ARE PUT TO THE CHINESE. (SEE PARA 8 OF PEKING CREDA 109 OF 31 MAY).

2. THE RISK TO CURRENT NEGOTIATIONS OF PRESSING ON WITH THE

VISIT IN EARLY JULY IS NOT QUANTIFIABLE BUT EXISTSDD WHILE

OBVIOUSLY WE DO NOT WISH TO DELAY THIS NEW VENTURE UNNECESSARILY I DOUBT IF ANOTHER MONTH OR SO WILL MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE AS FAR AS THE CHINESE ARE CONCERNED. NOR GIVEN THE SLOWNESS WHICH THE CHINESE HAVE DEVELOPED THEIR NEW BUYING ROUND DO I SEE ANY DANGER THAT

WE MAY MISS THE BOAT.

CRADOCK

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