CONFIDENTIAL
4. THE NONA HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE INCIDENT. THE POLITICAL ADVISER HAS TOLD THEM THAT WE TAKE A VERY SERIOUS VIEW OF THE BOARDING OF A ROYAL NAVAL CRAFT IN HONG KONG WATERS BY AN ARMED PARTY AND OF ATTEMPTS TO USE FORCE OR INTIMIDATION IN INCIDENTS OF THIS SORT. THEY SHOULD BE RESOLVED BY CO-OPERATION. HE ASKED THAT A MESSAGE SHOULD BE PASSED URGENTLY TO CANTON TO ENSURE THAT THE BOARDING PARTY WAS REMOVED IMMEDIATELY. NCNA SAID THEY WERE UNINFORMED ON THE INCIDENT AND RESERVED THEIR POSITION ON THE DETAILS, BUT THAT THEY WOULD TRY TO GET A MESSAGE TO CANTON.
5. WE BELIEVE IT IS BEST, IF POSSIBLE, TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE LOCALLY AND ARE HOPEFUL OF DOING SO. IF, HOWEVER WE DO NOT SUCCEED
WITHIN A FEW HOURS WE SHALL HAVE TO ASK YOU TO INTERVENE WITH THE MFA.
6. THIS INCIDENT IS SO SERIOUS THAT WE BELIEVE IT WILL IN ANY CASE BE NECESSARY TO MAKE A STRONG PROTEST, BUT WE HOPE THAT ACTION CAN AWAIT THE CONCLUSION OF THE INCIDENT.
MACLEHOSE
FILE S HK & GD
FED
DEF D PUSD
NEWS D
OID
PS PS/LPS
PS/MR BLAKER PS/MR RIDLEY
PS/MR HURD PS/PUS
SIR D MAITLAND
SIR A ACLAND
MR CORTAZZI MR MURRAY MR P MOBERLY
COPIES TO
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE,
LONDON
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CONFIDENTIAL
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