DIPLOMAT AT AIRPORT; TALKS TO PRESS; DIPLOMAT AND WOMAN COMPANION WALK TO AIRCRAFT; WALKS UP STEPS AND ENTERS AIRCRAFT.




Initials DHC/VS/MGT/SGM



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Background: THE CHINESE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES IN NAIROBI, MR LI CHIEH, LEFT FOR HOME TODAY (SATURDAY) AFTER BEING DECLARED PERSONA NON GRATA BY THE KENYA GOVERNMENT. AT THE AIRPORT THE CHINESE DIPLOMAT TOLD REPORTERS THAT HIS EXPULSION FROM KENYA "CAN ONLY GLADDEN OUR ENEMIES AND SADDEN OUR FRIENDS".

MR LI WAS DECLARED PERSONA NON GRATA TWO DAYS AGO BECAUSE OF WHAT THE KENYAN GOVERNMENT CLAIMED WAS INTERFERENCE IN HER AFFAIRS. MR LI HAD SENT A LETTER TO A LOCAL NEWSPAPER COMPLAINING ABOUT A STATEMENT BY THE KENYAN MINISTER FOR ECONOMIC PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, MR TOM MBOYA.

MR MBOYA HAD TOLD THE KENYA PARLIAMENT DEVELOPING COUNTRIES WERE MENACED BY THE INTRIGUE OF ALL THE BIG POWERS, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA. THE CHINESE PROTESTED AT BEING EQUATED WITH THE UNITED STATES, AND KENYAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS LATER SAID THE EMBASSY WAS INTERFERING IN THE COUNTRY'S INTERNAL AFFAIRS.

OFFICIALS SAID MR LI WAS FLYING TO KARACHI ON HIS WAY BACK TO PEKING.