CONFIDENTIAL
HKB020/26
205
170704
MDHIAN 3056
wine was
contated
CONFIDENTIAL
FM BAHRAIN
TO DESKBY 07083OZ FCO
TELNO 493
OF 061722Z DECEMBER 90
1
Paul:
нид
INFO IMMEDIATE RIYADH, DOHA, ABU DHABI, DUBAI INFO PRIORITY HONG KONG
Mr Stone
FCO TELNO 322 (NOT TO HONG KONG): ADVICE TO BRITISH COMMUNITY
SUMMARY
7/12
CATHAY PACIFIC DECIDE TO SUSPEND FLIGHTS THROUGH MIDDLE EAST AFTER 10 JANUARY. NEED TO PERSUADE SWIRE BROTHERS THAT (A) CUT OFF SHOULD BE DELAYED BY A DAY OR TWO IN LIGHT OF LIKELY PHASE II ADVICE (B) TO DELAY ANY ANNOUNCEMENT UNTIL FCO DECIDES ON PHASE
II.
2. RECOMMEND 48 HOUR GAP BETWEEN RECEIPT OF PHASE II ADVICE IN POSTS AND PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT. PROPOSE TO ADD LOCAL CAUTION ON DIFFICULTY OF EVACUATION IN THE EVENT OF HOSTILITIES.
DETAIL
3 =
ATKINSON, REGIONAL MANAGER CATHAY PACIFIC, HAS INFORMED ME IN CONFIDENCE ON 6 DECEMBER OF DECISION TAKEN BY SWIRE BROTHERS
IN LONDON CAPPARENTLY AFTER DISCUSSION WITH FCO) THAT UNLESS BAKER/TARIQ AZIZ CONTACTS YIELD PEACEFUL SOLUTION, CATHAY PACIFIC WILL CEASE FLYING THROUGH MIDDLE EAST AFTER 10 JANUARY UNTIL A
RESOLUTION IS ACHIEVED. ATKINSON HAS ALREADY TRANSMITTED TO HIS HONG KONG DIRECTOR (PETER SUTCH) MY CONCERN (A) ABOUT THE LOCAL EFFECT OF SUCH AN ANNOUNCEMENT AND (B) THAT THE DATE CHOSEN RISKS CUTTING ACROSS OUR OWN PHASE II ADVICE CUT-OFF DATE. HE THINKS HE HAS SUCCEEDED IN PREVENTING AN ANNOUNCEMENT: CP WILL SIMPLY TURN AWAY BOOKINGS ON THE PLAUSIBLE GROUND THAT THERE IS NO SPACE. BUT HE THINKS (PLEASE PROTECT) ONLY A FCO APPROACH TO ONE OF THE SWIRE BROTHERS IN PERSON WOULD ACHIEVE A POSTPONEMENT OF
THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE.
4. DENNE, WHO WAS HERE TODAY, SUGGESTED THAT 15 JANUARY IS THE LIKELY CUT-OFF DATE FOR OUR PHASE II ADVICE. CLEARLY THAT WOULD LOOK SILLY EVEN IF CP DELAYED BY A DAY OR TWO, ESPECIALLY AS BA MIGHT WELL BE FORCED BY THEIR CREWS TO FOLLOW SUIT. I HOPE YOU CAN PUT THE TWO POINTS IN PARA 1 TO THE SWIRE HQ.
5.
EVEN IF YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL THE RISK OF THE AIRLINES WITHDRAWING REINFORCES THE ARGUMENTS FOR AN EARLIER DATE THAN 15 JANUARY (I CONTINUE TO FAVOUR 8 JANUARY) AND FOR AS EARLY A
1
PAGE CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.