CONFIDENTIAL
DESKBY 30000
on the Japanese as well. The Japanese Ambassador was in any
case calling on me this morning, and I took the opportunity to
raise the issue. The Ambassador fully understood the legitimac
of the UK's position and undertook to report, but confirmed tha
the Americans had indeed laid claim to the whole dollars
9 billion.
4. In addition to this conversation and to the further
discussions which you yourself will no doubt be having, it
occurs to us that it might be useful for Lord Caithness (who is
at present in Hong Kong) to extend his stay in the Far East a
little and visit Tokyo so as to discuss our case. However, we
would not want Lord Caithness to appear to be rebuffed. For hi to go, we would need at least some indication that the Japanese
were likely to give us something: we accept that Japanese
procedures are slow, and that he may not be able to come away with assurances which are completely bankable. Can you comment
on the likely Japanese reaction?
5. On present plans, Lord Caithness is due to leave Hong Kong on Friday evening, 1 February, so that it might be possible for
him to spend 2 February in Tokyo. Grateful to know from Lord Caithness's party in Hong Kong whether this would in principle be possible, and from you whether you would recommend
such a visit as a way of keeping our claim well to the fore in Japanese minds.
HURD
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
IRAQ/KUWAIT
FED
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