CONFIDENTIAL
4. WE APPEAR TO HAVE EXHAUSTED DIPLOMATIC POSSIBILITIES, AND
THE SHOCK OF REINFORCEMENT, THOUGH IT HAS BEEN PARTIALLY SUCCESSFUL,
HAS STILL LEFT ILLEGAL TRAFFIC MUCH TOO HIGH. IT IS NOT A CARD
WE COULD PLAY AGAIN FOR THE MOMENT.
5. I AM THEREFORE BEING MINUTED TO OBTAIN APPROVAL TO NOTIFY
THE CHINESE (AFTER HUA'S VISIT) THAT WE INTEND TO IMPOSE
RESTRICTION ON LEGALS. I AM NOT PREPARED TO CONSIDER SUCH A
STEP UNLESS SATISFIED IT CAN BE SEEN THROUGH SUCCESSFULLY.
THERE MAY ALSO BE OTHER TACTICS WE COULD ADOPT SHORT OF STARTING
ON A COURSE FROM WHICH THERE IS NO RETREAT AND WHICH COULD SO
EASILY MAKE THINGS WORSE INSTEAD OF BETTER. I WILL BE TELEGRAPHING
#FTER RECEIVING FURTHER ADVICE. NEVERTHELESS YOU SHOULD KNOW
THE WAY THINKING IS DEVELOPING HERE SINCE IT IS RELEVANT TO THE TONE IN WHICH THE SECRETARY OF STATE SPEAKS TO HUA AND HUANG.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
HK & GD
FED
SEAD
UND
PS/MR RIDLEY
MR CORTAZZI MR MURRAY
2
. CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.