FCO 21/227 Imprisonment of New China News Agency journalists and detention of Anthony Grey in China





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TR/CAT A AND BY BAG

TINE FOREIGN OFFICE

GRAM NUMBER 847

RESTRICTED

TO PEKING

24 SEPTEMBER 1969

(F)

148

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LAST PAPER

дорогого

ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELNO 847 OF 24 SEPTEMBER REPEATED FOR

INFORMATION TO HONG KONG AND POLAD SINGAPORE AND SAVING TO

VASHINGTON.

K.I.P.T.

UNATTRIBUTABLY SPOKESMAN ADDED:

2674

QUOTE NO ONE HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO SEE MR. GREY SINCE APRIL 23 WHEN THE FORKER CHARGE D'AFFAIRES, SIR DONALD HOPSON, AND A MEMBER OF HIS STAFF WERE ALLOWED TO VISIT HIM. HE THEN APPEARED

TO BE IN SATISFACTORY HEALTH. SINCE THEN NO-ONE HAS BEEN ALLOWED

TO SEE HIM AND THERE IS THEREFORE NO HEANS OF VERIFYING WHETHER THE CHINESE STATEMENTS ARE CORRECT UNQUOTE. END OF UNATTRIBUTABLE. E. CORRESPONDENT ASKEN WHETHER CHINESE NEVSMEN HELD IN HONG KONG

HAD BEEN ALLOWED CONSULAR ACCESS OR OTHER OFFICIAL VISITORS. 3. SPOKESMAN REPLIED THIS WAS REALLY FOR CONMO..WEALTH OFFICE TO SAY, BUT ADDED UNATTRIBUTABLY THAT REGULAR ACCESS WAS ALLOWED TO THESE MEN. THERE ARE TWO NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY STAFF AND THIRTEEN OTHERS KELD. END UNATTRIBUTABLE.

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{

HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO. 362 TO PEKING 3 SEPTEMBER 1968

IDENTIAL

ADDRESSED PEKING TELEGRAH NO. 362 3 SEPTEMBER REPEATED FOR

INFORMATION TO FOREIGN OFFICE.

YOUR TELEGRAM NO. 592.

AN

14

1551378 романа

CHEN FENG-YING AND CHEN TEH-HU, ALONG WITH SIX OTHERS ARRESTED ON

15TH JULY 1967, WERE FINED AND RELEASED ON 5TH AUGUST 1967.

2. ALL THOSE WHO HIGHT BE DESCRIBED AS CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNIST -

PRESS WHO WERE ARRESTED BEFORE GREY WAS DETAINED, AND SENTENCED TO

PRISON TERMS, HAVE NOW BEEN RELEASED EXCEPT FOR TWO SEMICOLON

HSVER CI.E, SIT) AND HUL.

3. TWELVE OTHERS IN THIS CATEGORY WERE ARRESTED AFTER GREY'S

DETENTION CINCLUDING THE PROPRIETORS, EDITORS AND PRINTERS OF THE

THREE SUSPENDED PAPERS). THEY ARE HOT DUE FOR RELEASE CASSUMING FULL,

REMISSION OF ONE-THIRD OF SENTENCE) UNTIL SEPTEMBER 1969 (11 PERSONS)

AND FEBRUARY 1971 C1 PERSON).

FO PLEASE PASS PRIORITY PEKING.

SIR D TRENCH

[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]

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Peking Telegram No. 502 to Hong Kong 31 August 1968

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(146)

COPY

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31

- 3 SEP 1968

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Addressed to Hong Kong telegram No. 502 of 31 August, Repeated for information to Foreign Office.

The Chinese Government statement published in NCNA when Grey was detained referred not only to Hsueh P'ing but to "NCNA correspondents Chen Feng-ying and Chen Teh-nu and five other patriotic Chinese correspondents".

2.

It would be helpful in our discussion of Grey question if you could let us know whether these prisoners have yet been released.

Foreign Office pass Priority Hong Kong.

Mr. Cradock

[Repeated as requested)

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TELEGRAM NUMEFR 323

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ADDRESSED PEYING

8 JULY 1968

JELECRAN NO. 323 DATED 8TH JULY REPEATED

FOR INFORMATION TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE.

3781

YOUR TELEGRAM NO. 442 10 THE FOREIGN OFFICE PARAGRAPH 2: GREY.

THIS ALLEGATION HAS APPEARED IN THE COMMUNIST PRESS HERE. THERE

IS NO CREPEATO NO TRUTH IN IT. DETAINEES AT THE VICTORIA DETENTION

CENTRE AFE SOMETIMES HANDCUFFED WHEN PASSING FROM ONE BLOCK WITHIN

THE CENTRE TO ANOTHER SOME EIGHTY YARDS AWAY WHERE INTERVIEWS TAKE PLACE. THIS IS TO PREVENT ATTEMPTS AT ESCAPE, AND THE HANDCUFFS ARE REMOVED BEFORE THE DETAINEES SEE THEIR RELATIVES. HANDCUFFS AFE

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RECEIVED ARCHAYES No.31 25 JUN 1968

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144

Juan 157?

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 596 of 24 June, Repeated for information to Hong kong.

Hong Kong telegram No. 803.

237)

231

We have already

Paragraph 1 of telegram under reference

tried for such a visit, but without success. (My telegram No.524).

2.

Paragraph 2. I am a raid it is much too late in the day for us to delude Chinese about our anxieties on Grey even if we in this mission were now instructed to feign disinterest nor could we expect Parliament and United Kingdom public opinion to maintain suca a pretence.

3.

In the light of telegram under reference Tay I now approach Foreign Ministry and propose another round of special visits in Hong Kong on the same terms as before and on the understanding that we would be allowed another visit to Grey?

Foreign Office pass to Hong Kong 435.

Sir D. Hopson

[Repeated as requested]

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Addressed to Foreign Orrice telegram No 587 of 20 June, Repeated for information to Hong Kong.

14t/

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My telegram No. 524. [Visits to Grey].

It is now two months since we saw Grey. It will soon be a year since his detention and his birthday is on 15 July. Ye may have secured some tiny improvement in his conditions as a result or interview of 18 May (my telegrams numbers 452 and 453), but, as I pointed out in my telegram uncer reference, it is clear that we are not going to obtain further access without another round of special visits in Hong Kong.

135

2. May I now approach the Foreign Ministry and say that we are ready to arrange another round of such visits if they will then allow another visit by staff of this orrice to Grey?

3. On longer term questions, i should be grateful for your views on points raised in my telegram No. 474, of 24 May, commenting on Hong Kong telegram No. 643, in particular the suggestion on remission (sub paragraph )).

Foreign office pass Hong Kong 429.

736

Sir D Hops on.

[Repeated as requested]

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Telno. 553

12 June 1968.

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1 JUN 1968

142

FD13

Addressed to Hong Kong telegram No. 396 12 June. Repeated for information to Foreign Office.

Your telegram No. 643 to Commonwealth Office (paragraph 4).

1377

Has there been further word from Li Choh-Chih since returning to Hong Kong on 11 May? If not, would there not be advantage in re establishing contact with him? In present circumstances in particular, this may turn out to be our most useful channel for explaining Chinese position, particularly on prisoners.

Foreign Office pass Hong Kong.

Sir D. Hopson.

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Telno 524

4 June, 1968

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Sism in preparati

1. pa. 566

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 524 of 4 June Repeated for information to: Hong Kong

Visits to Grey.

The West German correspondent, Bargmann, recently asked to see Grey in a letter to Ministry of Foreign Affairs [?grp omitted ?and] in conversation with NCNA representatives but got nowhere. Bargmann, the only surviving member of the Press Corps who knows Grey well, is now on leave.

2. I have sounded a close diplomatic colleague here but found him reluctant to allow members of his staff to become involved in applying for visits to Grey. This reaction is probably typical of the rest of the Corps.

3. It is therefore clear that if we are to obtain further access to Grey, the only hope lies in offering another round of special visits to Communist prisoners in Hong Kong.

F.0. pass Hong Kong 375.

Sir D. Hopson

[Repeated as requestedl

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FROM PRIORITY HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

TEL NO 668

DATED 25 MAY

1

RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No 3:

28 MAY 1968 !

F5131/31

рера Вразит

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ADDRESSED PEKING AS MYTEL 251 DATED 25TH MAY RFI CO.

OUR TELEGRAM 217.

SIT AND LO BOTH HAD MONTHLY VISITS ON 24TH MAY.

PEKING 251.

CO PLEASE PASS PRIORITY PEKING 251.

SIX D. FRENCH

[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]

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27 MAY 1968

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Telno. 474

24 May 1968

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ре

Рада зора

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 474 of a May, Repeated for information to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong telegram No. 643: Grey.

I have the following comments:

(a) Paragraph 1 of telegram under reference.

The danger of Chinese slipping people back with false papers would be present in the same way if confrontation prisoners were sent to reside in China as we proposed to Lo Kuei'po on 13 April. Any agreement ending confrontation would be heavily dependent on Chinese good faith; but I doubt whether that should be regarded as sufficient grounds for refusing to make such moves. So far, while insisting on outrageous terms, the Chinese have kept their bargain.

(b) Paragraph 1, third sentence.

The argument about criminals with a record of serious violence is I imagine hardly applicable in the case of news workers who would be the price for Grey.

(c) Paragraph 2 (a)

The numbers would not (repeat not) be large if confined to news workers.

(a) Paragraph 5.

This

I hope that consideration will be given to amending rules to allow greater remission. would seem the most discreet way of handling the matter and, failing some agreement about sending confrontation prisoners to China, may be the only means of ensuring Grey's release before September 1969.

(c) Paragraph 5, final sentence.

I agree that whatever we do we must expect that the Chinese will seek to present it as a "Victory". But as has been recognised in earlier telegrams, the Chinese need a face-saver of some kind if they are going to sign off.

/The problem

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The problem is to find concessions which would satisfy this requirement without undermining Hong Kong Government authority. Of course the Chinese will make publicity, as this would be the whole point of the operation; but we can surely ridicule this, if concession is of minor proportions. We should not neglect possibility that public opinion in Hong Kong, as in the case of the definite agreement last November, would resot well to measures which they would see as designed to facilitate a return to normal working relations with China.

Foreign Office pass Priority Hong Kong 341,

Sir D. Hopson

[Repeated as requested)

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PRIORITY HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE RECEIVED IN

TELEGRAM NO. 487 18 APRIL, 1968

CONFIDENTIAL

! ARCHIVES No.31

23 MAY 1968

FP13/8

ADDRESSED CO TELEGRAM NO. 487 OF 18TH APRIL SEPEATED PEKING.

FC 3/3 514 515 51C

PEKING TELEGRAMS 302, 303, 304: SINO-BRITISH RELATIONS.

I FULLY AGREE WITH THE SUGGESTION IN PARAGRAPH 3 OF TELEGRAM No. 304 THAT FOI. THE MOMENT IT WOULD BE BEST FOR US TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT THE CHINESE DO, ESPECIALLY ON THE QUESTION OF EXIT VISAS FOR THE MISS ON AND VISITS TO GREY. I AM SURE THAT WE SHOULD AVOID GIVING THE IMPRESSION THAT WE ARE RUNNING AFTER

THE CHINESE SENICOLON AND THAT WE SHOULD NOT MAKE ANY NEW CONCESSIONS UNTIL WE CAN JUDGE WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE PREPARED TC HONOUR UNWRITTEN ARRANGEMENTS.

2. AS FAR AS GREY IS CONCERNED, THE VISITS WERE REPORTFC CORRECTLY AND IN DETAIL IN THE HONG KONG COMMUNIST PRESS ON 11TH APRIL. WE AFE SENDING THE RELEVANT CUTTINGS BY THE NEXT

BAG JO PEKING IN CASE THE M.F.A. CONTINUE TO PREVARICATE ON THE SUBJECT SEMICOLON ALTHOUGH IT IS HARD TO SEE HOW THEY CAN HAVE THE FACE TO DO SO IN VIEW CF N.C.N.A. 'S REPORTING OF THE SITUATION CN 12TH APEIL.

/3. ON OTHER

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3. ON OTHER QUESTIONS RELATING TO PRISONERS:-

(A) THE QUESTION OF EXTRA WINTER CLOTHING SEENS TO HAVE DIED

A NATURAL DEATH IN PROPACANDA HERE. IK ANY CASE:

(1) NO REPEAT NO CLOTHING HAS BEEN DELIVERED AT THE PRISON

SINCE THE OFFER WAS MADE IN JANUARY SEMICOLON AND

(ID) IT WOULD OBVIOUSLY BE RIDICULOUS TO DISTRIBUTE THE CLOTHING

IN WHAT IS NOW TO ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES SUMPER WEATHER.

THE COMMUNIST PFESS OF 19TH MARCH IMPLICITLY RECOGNIZED THIS WHEN IT COMPLAINED THAT THE CLOTHING HAD STILL NOT BEEN DISTRIBUTED

BY THE BRITISH AUTHORITIES, ALTHOUGH SPRING HAD ALREADY COME.

(B) | PRESUNE THAT THE COMPLAINT OF INADEQUATE EXCERCISE FOR

PRISONERS FEFERS TO STANLEY INMATES FATHER THAN DETAINEES.

THE PROSLEM IS THAT ONLY 200 OF THE 700 CONFRONTATION PRISONERS

AT STANLEY HAVE AGREED TO WORK IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORDINARY

PRISON CONDITIONS. THE REMAINDER AFE THUS NORMALLY CONFINED

TO THEIR CELLS WHEN OTHERS ARE WORKING, BUT FOR THE LAST MONTH

THEY HAVE HAD ONE HOUR'S EXCERCISE PER DAY, INSTEAD OF THE USUAL

30 MINUTES.

4. TELEGRAN FOLLOWS ON THE QUESTION OF RICE.

FO PLEASE PASS PRIORITY PEKING AS MYTEL 169.

SIR D. TRENCH

[REPETITION TO PEKING REFERRED FOR DEPARTMENTAL DECISION.]

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CONFILENT LAL

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TELEGRAM NUMBER 643

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20 MAY 1968

COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

RECTAD }ARCH\V-. *..

21 At 908

FD138

ADDRESSED CO TELNO 643 OF 20TH MAY RFI PEKING.

130

PEKING TELEGRAM 420 : GREY.

A MAJOR DIFFICULTY ABOUT RELEASING PRISONERS TO CHINA UNTIL THEIR

SENTENCES IN HONG KONG EXPIRE IS THAT WE BECOME HEAVILY DEPENDENT

ON CHI ESE GOOD FAITH. IT WOULD BE ONLY TOO EASY TO SLIP SUCH PEOPLE BACK OVER THE BORDER WITH FALSE PAPERS, MANY OF THE PEOPLE WITH

LONGER SENTENCES HAVE COMMITTED CRIMES OF MAJOR DANGER TO THE PUBLIC, LIKE BOMBING: AND WE COULD BE HEAVILY CRITICISED FOR

NEGLECTING PUBLIC SAFETY IF WE LET THEM GO TO CHINA WITHOUT

RECEIVING VERY FIRM ASSURANCES FROM THE CPG (WHICH WE ARE HARDLY LIKELY TO GET, AT LEAST IN A FORM THAT WE COULD PUBLICISE). 2. THE TECHNICAL QUESTION OF OUR ISSUING POST-DATED RE-INTRY

PERMITS NEED NOT IN ITSELF RAISE MAJOR DIFFICULTIES. THERE ARE THE

FOLLOWING POSSIBILITIES:-

(A) TO ISSUE ORDINARY RE-ENTRY PERMITS, BUT PUT THE PEOPLE

CONCERNED ON THE WATCH LIST. THIS COULD CESPECIALLY IF THE NUMBERS

RELEASED TO CHINA WERE LARGE) IMPOSE A HEAVY BURDEN ON THE IMMIGRATION

AUTHORITIES,

(B) TO ISSUE THEM POST-DATED ENTRY, REPEAT ENTRY, PERMITS. THIS

WOULUBE AN ENTIRELY NEW PROCEDURE FOR HONG KONG RESIDENTS AND

WOULD PROBADLY BE UNACCEPTABLE TO CHINESE ON GROUNDS OF PRINCIPLE.

CCD TO ISSUE RE-ENTRY PERMITS WITH AN OVERT ENDORSEMENT THAT THEY

WOULD NOT BE VALID UNTIL A CERTAIN LATER DATE. THIS WOULD

SEEM TO OFFER THE LEAST PROBLEMS FROM THE TECHNICAL AND POLITICAL

POINT OF VIEW,

3. THE QUESTION OF CHOI COUR TELEGRAM 454 PARA 30 WAS BROACHED

/TO AN

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TO AN NENA REPRESENTATIVE ON MAY 15 IN A SHORT, BUT VERY CORDIAL 'INTERVIEW. NO AWKWARD 13SUES WERE RAISED AND THE REPRESENTATIVE

PROMISED TO LET US HAVE AN EARLY REPLY.

4. WE AGREE THAT OUR CONTACTS WITH LI CHOH-CHIH OFFER THE MOST PROMISING CHANNEL FOR DISCUSSING THE QUESTION OF THE RELEASE OF CONVICTED PRISONERS. LÍ RETURNED TO HONG KONG ON 11 MAY AND WE WOULD STRONGLY ADVOCATE WAITING TO SEE IF HE HAS ANYTHING

TO SAY BEFORE EMBARKING ELSEWHERE ON CONVERSATIONS WHICH WOULD

OPEN THE QUESTION TO DISCUSSION.

5. THE PRISON RULES CRULE 69) LAY DOWN THAT THE AMOUNT OF REMISSION WHICH MAY BE GRANTED SHALL NOT EXCEED ONE THIRD'' OF THE PRISONER'S

SENTENCE. SUBJECT TO GOOD BEHAVIOUR FULL ONE THIRD REMMISSION IS STANDARD PRACTICE. THE ONLY WAYS OF ALTERING THIS WOULD BE EITHER TO AMEND THE RULES TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM REMISSION GENERALLY OR FOR ME TO EXERCISE MY PREROGATIVE TO REMIT SENTENCES IN INDIVIDUAL CASES. NEITHER COURSE COULD BE FOLLOWED WITHOUT CONSIDERABLE ADVERSE PUBLICITY. IN ANY CASE, THE COMMUNISTS KNOW VERY WELL WHEN THEIR PRISONERS ARE DUE TO BE RELEASED UNDER THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS: AND IF ANY PRISONERS WERE RELEASED PREMATURELY THEY WOULD BE ALMOST CERTAIN TO PUBLICISE THE FACTS. AFTER ALL, A MAJOR INTEREST OF THEIRS IS TO GET US TO MAKE CONCESSIONS WHICH THEY CAN PUBLICLY

CLAIM AS VICTORIES.

FO PLEASE PASS ROUTINE PEKING 241.

SIR D. FRENCH

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CONFIDENTIAL ARCHIVES No.3:

PRIORITY PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Telno 453

CONFIDENTIAL

20 May, 1968

1.5913/8

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 453 of 20 May!

Repeated for information za) Hong Kong.

My telegram No. 419efey.

At our request Cradock was granted an interview with Press Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 18 May. He was seen by Miss Chang Deputy Section Head,

136)

2. Cradock began by expressing our strong dissatisfaction at Grey's present treatment. He pointed out it was clear from Grey's conditions of confinement in approximately the first month after his detention on 21 July, 1967, that the Chinese statement on that date announcing measures against him was intended only to mean that Grey was not free to leave his house. Since 18 August, however, his treatment had been much more severe. He was confined to one room, deprived of using the rest of his house and personal belongings, his telephone and radio and normal postal facilities. He was denied contact with his friends and with this office. This was inconsistent with only official statement the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had made about Grey. This treatment of an innocent man was both inhumane and uncivilised. Cradock requested

that Grey's situation be restored at least to what it was before

18 August, and specifically that Grey be allowed full use of his premises and personal possessions, normal inward and outward mail facilities, radio and telephone; also that he be permitted informal visitors from among his friends in Peking on a regular basis of at least once a month. 3. Chang described our requests as ridiculous and groundless and went on contrasting Grey's treatment favourably with that of Hong Kong journalists taken prisoner who, she ? gp. omitted] were treated like wild beasts. She denied flatly that there was any inconsistency between Grey's present treatment and the Chinese statement of July, 1967. She claimed that the issue raised by our requests was very simple. We should consider the question of the patriotic journalists and news-workers in prison in Hong Kong and we would find the answer ourselves. The Grey question was not an isolated one but part of the Hong Kong problem. In any case, Grey was on Chinese territory. His treatment was therefore the business of the Chinese Government and no one else had the right to interfere.

4. Cradock rebutted Chang's changes on Hong Kong prisoners in detail, drawing on the material supplied by the Governor. He contrasted Grey's treatment in the matter of visits, isolation, mail facilities and recreation with that received by the Hong Kong prisoners. He pointed out that Grey, as a British subject, was the legitimate object of our concern. The question affects Sino-British relations.

Moreover, the treatment of Grey, a foreigner in China, was noted not only in Britain but by other foreign countries.

5. In reply Chang, amidst some general abuse about Hong Kong, said that as regards visit of Legal Adviser the British had so far arranged only one visit in Hong Kong. Anything else was only what was provided for usual prisoners. Grey's alleged isolation was because he was the only correspondent under restraint. By contrast the British had arrested many in Hong Kong [? gp. omitted] Grey's conditions had not

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deteriorated. They were better than before. He was allowed to use his personal possessions and could go upstairs to get his own things. All along he had been allowed to write letters to his family. Not long ago Grey had written a letter home.

6.

Lengthy exchanges followed in which Cradock repeated our requests and asked that very serious attention be given to them, particularly in relation to the solitary nature of Grey's confinement, which could gravely affect his physical and mental health. The interview ended at Chang's request after two hours.

7. Full record follows by bag.

8.

See my immediately following telegram.

F.0. pass Hong Kong No. 328.

Sir D. Hopson

[Repeated as requested].

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Tel No. 452

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20 May, 1968

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paganis

Addressed to Foreign Office telno. 452 of 20 May repeated for information to Hong Kong.

??

My immediately preceding telegram.

MIFF

This was a long and abrasive interview, Our points were registered, but the Chinese attitude was unyielding and I would not (repeat not) expect us to succeed in bringing about much change in Grey's situation in this way. It was fairly clear that the Chinese link further visits to him to further special visits to News workers in prison in Hong Kong. I shall now prompt the West German correspondent, who is a friend of Grey, and possibly other friends in Foreign Missions, to apply for an interview with him but I see little hope of these requests being granted.

2. On matters of detail, two new points emerged about Grey's present treatment:

3.

(a) Grey has recently written at least one letter home, and

(b) he is sometimes allowed upstairs in his house to fetch

belongings.

Compared with what Grey told me when I saw him on 23 April. (b) seems new minor concession by the Chinese. The Chinese claim that Grey's conditions had improved rather than deteriorated probably refers to improvement in his food after first few months, as [? gps omitted] when he also moved to a larger room as he intimated to me on 23 April.

F.O. pass Hong Kong 327.

Sir D. Hopson

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1 5 MAY 1968

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MR. GREY

ACCESS AND IMPROVELENT OF CONDITIONS OF DETENTION

(134)

Following on our meeting with the Governor of Hong

Kong on 3 May, I submit a draft telegram to Peking dealing

with what steps right now be taken to gain further access

to Mr. Grey and to improve the conditions of his detention.

The Commonwealth Office concur.

2. The background is given in my submission of 2 May

(attached).

3. A separate submission will be made about negotiating

the release of Mr. Grey.

Copy to Mr. Carter, C.0.

ваши Гламод

(James Hurray)

7 May, 1968

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CONFIDENTIAL

Philkinson

7/5

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RECEIVED IN

ARCHIVES No 31

15 MAY 1968

Kr. Wilkinson

Also or F213/8

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IN

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1008

(133

F813/8

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Discumad with Si A Tunch 3/5

R.

CONSULTATIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG

VISITS TO MR. GREY

Problem

Sir D. Hopson visited Mr. Grey on 23 April and concluded

that the worst aspect of Mr. Grey's condition was his isolation.

Sir D. Hopson believes that our immediate efforts should be

concentrated on securing improvements in this respect. The

question of Mr. Grey's release on which Sir D. Hopson has also

commented is dealt with in a separate submission.

2.

Sir D. Hopson's proposals fall into two categories:-

(a) that he should press the Chinese to allow Mr. Grey

such comforts as more books, magazines and letters

in and out; and also, as a longer shot, A

gramophone, records, wireless and telephone;

(b) that he should ask the Chinese for another visit

to Mr. Grey in Kay, pointing out that his isolation

is worse than that of the Communist prisoners in

Hong Kong and contrasting their regime with his

complete isolation; and that if this request is

turned down, he be authorised to offer immediately

another round of special visits to the Communist

newspaper workers in Hong Kong prisons in return

for a further visit to Hr. Grey. He would propose

such a visit on similar conditions to last time.

/3.

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2

-

3. Category (a) above raises few problems. Hong Kong

have furnished Sir D. Hopson with arguments about letters

and books (though they call for certain caution regarding

books since the Chinese would certainly seek to make an

issue of the refusal to give prisoners in Hong Kong the

"Thoughts of Hao Tse-tung").

Category (b) raises much more serious problems and

Hong Kong telegram No. 536 expresses a reluctance to sanction

further special visits in Hong Kong except as a last resort.

The Governor is also reluctant to see Sir D. Hopson going

into too much detail with the Chinese regarding the respective

conditions of Kr. Grey and the prisoners in Hong Kong-

5. We have to decide what line to take with the Governor

at the meeting in the Commonwealth Office on 3 May.

Recommendationa

6.

I recommend that:-

(a) We go through Hong Kong telegram No. 536 with

the Governor in order to establish how far it

represents his own views (as opposed to those of the Officer Administering the Government.)

(b) We ask the Governor how long it will be before

he would be prepared to contemplate another

round of "special visits".

(c) We ask whether he can agree that Sir D. Hopson

be authorised to discuss with the Chinese the

major complaints which they have made about

the Communist prisoners in Hong Kong.

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/(a)

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Flag A

Flag B

Flag C

(a) We explain to the Governor that there would

be great difficulty in resting where we are;

we shall be under considerable public and

parliamentary pressure to demonstrate that we

are doing our best to secure an amelioration

in Mr. Grey's conditions, particularly to secure

further visits. In our view there is very little

chance of achieving this unless there is a further

round of visits in Hong Kong.

Background

Aa

7. Sir D. Hopson considers, and I agree, that after the

visit to Mr. Grey (Peking telegram No. 341) we should not

rest on this achievement (Feking telegram No. 348). He can

of course tackle the Chinese immediately regarding the con-

ditions under which Mr. Grey is being held and, if he is

authorised, rebut certain Chinese complaints about the alleged

isolation of Communist prisoners in Hong Kong- It is possible

that he may make some limited progress in this direction.

Hong Kong have pointed out in their telegram No. 536, all

Communist prisoners in Hong Kong enjoy the monthly privilege

of visits from friends and relatives. The next step therefore

would seem to be for Sir D. Hopson to attempt to secure

similar monthly non-official visite to Mr. Grey, e.g. by

the wives of members of the Mission or by other members of

the foreign community in Peking.

8. Sir D. Hopson expects, however, that the Chinese will

turn down his request. I am afraid this is almost certain.

We

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.4

We must therefore face the fact that we will not get access

again to Mr. Grey until a further round of special visits

is permitted in Hong Kong. The Governor of Hong Kong has

argued that a further round of such visits would be

regrettable in general and particularly so in the near

future; it would tend to consolidate N.C.N.A.'a special

position in Hong Kong and give them a propaganda advantage;

it might encourage the Chinese to make further use of Mr.

Grey as a bargaining counter; and there might be an adverse

effect on public opinion in the Colony. The Governor adde

that the Chinese might well raise the price of a further visit.

We see the force of these arguments and agree that we should

not be seen to be running after the N.C.N.A. There are,

however, two counter arguments which must be borne in mind:-

(a) We have already conceded the point of principle by

permitting the first visit. There may be some

advantage in following up the tacit understanding

that appears to have been reached on the matter of

visite rather than allowing the understanding to lapse

and then finding ourselves in a position where we have

to revive it with a further round of elaborate nego-

tiations with N.C.N.A.

(b) The Chinese may raise the price of a further visit

whenever we propose it; but they would be particularly

prone to do so after a gap in which our inability to

secure further access to Mr. Grey other than by

accepting Chinese terms had again been demonstrated.

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9.

These two points might well be made to the Governor

when we discuss telegram No. 536.

A chronology of attempts to obtain access to Mr. Grey

is attached at Annex A.

Mumay

(James Murray)

2 Kay, 1968

Copy to Mr. Carter, C.0.

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Mr. Wilkinson

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15 MAY 1968

FDB/B

1

132

MR. GREY

POSSIBILITIES OF NEGOTIATING HIS RELEASE

I have already subritted a draft telegram to Peking

dealing with steps which might be taken to gain further

access to Mr. Grey and to improve the conditions of his

detention. I now submit a draft telegram dealing with the

question of negotiating his release. Commonwealth Office

concur.

2. The background is given in my submission of 2 lay

(attached).

Copy to Mr. Carter, C.o.

James Murray.

(James Kurray)

7 Kay, 1968

13.

Sri D. Allen.

Philharison 7/5

Atis

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17. Jaa. Ja pa 9/5

ARCHIVES No.31 15 MAY 1968

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Mr. Wilkinson Discussed with Sir D. Tunch 3/5

(131)

paß3915 разъ

4/5

Flag A

CONSULTATIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG

RELEASE OF MR. GREY

In the light of hie visit on 23 April to Mr. Grey, Sir D. Hopson has recommended certain actione designed to bring about an improvement in the conditions of his detention and if possible to secure a further visit. These matters are

considered in a separate submission. Sir D. Hopson has also

made proposals designed to prepare the way for Mr. Grey's

release.

Recommendation

2.

I recommend that we should discuss with the Governor

the possible lines of action outlined by Sir D. Hopson to examine which would be likely to present least difficulties for the Hong Kong Government now or in the future.

Background

3. A record of past efforts to negotiate Hr. Grey's release

is at Annex A. These efforte have consisted of an indication

by Hr. Brown in a letter to Ch'en Yi last August that he might be able to arrange the release to China of N.C.N.A. journalists imprisoned in Hong Kong in exchange for the release of Mr. Grey; and subsequently of specific offers to exchange Mr. Grey for Hsueh P'ing, one of the two N.C.N.A. reportera imprisoned in

Hong Kong. The Chinese have not responded to Mr. Brown's

letter or to the specific offers.

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16.

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- 2 -

4. It is clear that in negotiating the release of Mr. Grey

we are confronted with two overlapping problema:

(a) the number of Communist journalists imprisoned in

Hong Kong which the Chinese want to see released in

exchange for Mr. Grey; and

(b) the place where these prisoners shall be released.

We do not know how many people the Chinese hope to see

released. The most optimistic estimate (which formed the

basis of previous offers to exchange Mr. Grey for Heueh P'ing)

is that the Chinese would be prepared to trade him for a single

N.C.N.A. journalist. This has achieved no results so far and

seems unlikely to succeed. It is possible that the Chinese

would settle for the release of the two imprisoned N.C.N.A.

journalists, Hsueh P'ing and Lo Yu-ho.

at least further exploration.

This hope deserves

It may, however, be too sanguine.

The Chinese would only give us access to Mr. Grey after a

special visit had been permitted in Hong Kong to the two

N.C.N.A. reporters, 11 other journalists and 7 other "patriotic

newspaper workers" 20 persone in all. By analogy their price

for the release of Mr. Grey could be the release of all of

these.

5. The Chinese have insisted in their exchanges with Sir D.

Hopson about a reply to their "demands" that the release of

Communist prisoners in the Colony is a matter of major

importance. They have also indicated in the matter of two

Communist film stars whose deportation was attempted last

month, partly as a test case, that they would resist expulsion

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/of

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of Communiet offenders from the Colony to China, at least

without prior Chinese agreement. It seems likely therefore

that what the Chinese would really like to see is the release

of all the persons mentioned in paragraph ↳ above and that the release should take place in the Colony. This would clearly be intolerable for the Hong Kong Government.

6.

Without going as far as this, however, it may be possible

to offer the Chinese a reasonable package within the limits

of what is tolerable in Hong Kong. Sir D. Hopson has put

forward a series of possibilities:-

(a) that he tell the Chinese we would be prepared to

release Hsueh P'ing on the understanding that the

latter would "volunteer" to visit China and stay

there until the expiry of his sentence, after which

he would be free to return to Hong Kong.

(b) that if, as seems likely, the Chinese demur, this

offer be extended to cover the second N.C.N.A.

reporter, Lo Yu-ho, as well.

(c) that if both these offers are refused we consider

simple release of both N.C.N.A. reporters in the

Colony, as a last resort.

(a) that while any attempt by the Chinese to have all

the persons mentioned in paragraph 4 released in the Colony would be clearly intolerable, we might consider releasing them if deportation were guaranteed.

7.

Sir D. Hopson is aware of the problems that his proposals raise for the Government of Hong Kong. He concedes that it is

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/difficult

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- 4 -

difficult for the Governor to discriminate in favour of

any particular category of prisoner; that a further approach

may be construed by the Chinese as a sign of weakness; and

that the Chinese might seek deliberately to extend the dis-

cussion to other Hong Kong issues

-

something which we

strongly wish to avoid. However, Sir D. Hopson balances

these points against the following considerations:-

(a) that until we have at least settled the question of

the two N.C.N.A. reporters to Chinese satisfaction,

Mr. Grey will not be released. (The earliest date

reportera

at which the N.C.N.A./would normally be released is

September, 1969);

(b) that the Chinese might just possibly find Kr. Grey

an embarrassment, which would give us a little

leverage;

and

(c) that the release of the two N.C.N.A. reporters, if

agreed, might be regarded by the Chinese as providing

the token victory they need before ending their

campaign against the Hong Kong Government.

(a) is almost certainly true; (b) and (c) are harder to prove

and could only be tested in practice.

8. Sir D. Hopson also refers to the question of a larger

act of clemency affecting other "confrontation" prisoners.

He has asked for our views and those of the Governor on

whether the prospects of such a step are now any brighter

than they were and for an indication of our long-term plans

/for

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- 5 -

for dealing with such prisoners. Sir D. Hopson believes

that despite progress in other fields relations cannot

get back to anything like normal until the issue of

prisoners is settled. He underlines the relevance of

this to the treatment of all British subjects in detention

in China (Other than Mr. Grey there are thought to be

some 10 of these.) This is a very large issue to introduce

at this stage and I think that it might be unwise to inject

it into discussion of Mr. Grey's possible release. If

Mr. Grey is to be released before 1969, the Governor will

have to be asked at some point to make some unpalatable

concessions and we do not wish to make his difficulties any

greater.

James Morrany

(James Murray)

2 May, 1968

Copy to Hr. Carter

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CONFIDENTIAL

ANNEX A

EFFORTS TO NEGOTIATE MR. GREY'S RELEASE

31.8.67 In a letter to the Chinese Foreign Minister,

Ch'en Yi, the Foreign Secretary indicated that

he might be able to arrange the release to China

of N.C.N.A. journalists imprisoned in Hong Kong

in exchange for the release of Mr. Grey. No

answer has been received.

31.12.67 The Chargé d'Affaires in Peking, Mr. (now Sir) D.

Hopson, on instructions made an informal suggestion

8.2.68

to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs that

Mr. Grey be exchanged for Hsueh P'ing, an N.C.N.A.

reporter imprisoned in Hong Kong.

Mr. Cradock, Counsellor at the Mission in Peking,

repeated on an official basis the offer to

exchange Mr. Grey for Hsueh P'ing-

1.3.68

Sir D. Hopson raised the proposed exchange again

with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The reply

was that his suggestion had been noted but that

there was no news yet.

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130

Jupm 18/5

Telno 420

11 May 1968

CONFIDENTIAL

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 420 of 11 Kay Repeated for information to Hong Kong

My immediately preceding telegram.

129)

On the question of Grey's release I conclude from your telegrams that there is very little you feel we can do at the present time. As your telegram 460 recognises this blights any prospect of Grey's early release, with all the attendant risks to his physical and mental health which continued solitary confinement entails.

2. I saw only disadvantage in returning to the charge with proposal that N.C.N.A. men and other newspaper workers might be released to China in return for Grey without any of them being able to come back to Hong Kong. After clear rejection of this offer by Lo Kuei-po on 13 April, its reiteration now would merely irritate. We must however explore whether there is any amendment to this offer that might make it more acceptable to Chinese. The proposal to release prisoners to China until their sentences in Hong Kong expire seems to me much the best line to investigate. I do not see why it must be regarded in Hong Kong as a sign of weakness (paragraph 3 of your telegram 460). The effect would be to release prisoners in Hong Kong no sooner than if they had served their full sentence and were then released in the Colony as will happen if we do nothing. I agree that we should test Chinese attitude over releasing Choi (Hong Kong telegram No. 454 paragraph 3). We should also examine possibility of post dated re-entry permits (your telegram 459 paragraph 3). If there appears to be som scope for putting an amended proposal about release to China the best course may be to try this out with Li Chou-chih (Hong Kong telegram No. 454 paragraph 4).

3. If none of this works, are there any legal devices which might be employed to grant greater than normal remission to N.Č.N.A. and other journalist prisoners? This would accelerate date at which Grey might expect release and would have the advantage of avoiding publicity.

Foreign Office please pass Hong Kong 300. Sir D. Hopson

[Repeated as requested]

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S.A.D.

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1 4 MAY 1968

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IMMEDIATE PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Telno 419

11 May 1968

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1129

has istopa

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 419 of 11 May Repeated for information to Hong Kong

Your telegrams Nos. 459 and 460: Grey.

I agree that question of visits and conditions of confinement had better be kept separate from that of release.

2. Unless I hear from you to the contrary we shall on 16 May ask for an interview on Grey. At this we shall raise the question of improved conditions for him and of informal visits by non-diplomatic friends.

3. In the meantime I hope Hong Kong (see paragraph 4 of your telegram No. 459) will explore possibilities of putting N.C.N.A. and other journalists under as liberal régime as possible, though no action should be taken until we see the result of interview above.

4.

On the question of release see my immediately following telegram.

Foreign Office please pass Hong Kong 299.

Sir D. Hopson

[Repeated as requested]

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FFFFF

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ROUTINE HONG KONG

TELNO. 591

TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

RECEIVED IN 1 MAY 1968

ARCHIVO < NO

1 3 MAY 1968

FD13/8

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TOP COPY

mspe

ADDRESSED COMMONWEALTH OFFICE AS MY TELEGRAM NO. 591 BATED 11TH MAY

FFI PEKING.

12

120

YOUR TELEGRAM 797 (NO.459 TO PEKING]: GREY.

WE FEAR THAT THE TRANSFER OF THE TWO NONA AND OTHER JOURNALISTS TO

AN OPEN PRISON COULD BE INTERPRETED BY THE COMMUNISTS AS A HOSTILE

MOVE, FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:

CAD IT WOULD DEPRIVE THEM OF CONTACT WITH THE MAJORITY OF COMMUNIST

PRISONERS, WHO ARE IN STANLEY,

(B) THEY WOULD BE LESS ACCESSIBLE TO VISITORS,

(C) THEY WOULD BE REQUIRED TO WORK, WHICH THEY HAVE REFUSED TO DO

AT STANLEY.

2. THE COMMUNIST PRESS HAS ALREADY PROTESTED AGAINST THE TRANSFER

OF CERTAIN COMMUNIST PRISONERS TO CHI MA WAN OPEN PRISON ON LANTAO

ISLAND, DESCRIBING IT AS A HARD LABOUR CAMP.

3. IT IS NOT EASY TO SUGGEST ANY ALTERNATIVE MOVES TO EASE

CONDITIONS FOR THESE PRISONERS, THEY ARE ALREADY RECEIVING

PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT, IN SO FAR AS NO CREPEAT NO) DISCIPLINARY

ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN AGAINST THEM AS A RESULT OF THEIR REFUSAL TO

WORK AND THEY ARE STILL RECEIVING ALL THE NORMAL PRIVILEGES.

CO PLEASE PASS PEKING 219.A

MR. GASS

[REPETITION TO PAKING REFERICED FOR

DEPARTMENTAL DECISION 1,

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P.0.

0.0.

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DEFENCE DEPT.

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PRIORITY HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

elno 586 10 May 1968

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Addressed to Peking telegram No. 218 of 10 May Repeated for information to Foreign Office

124

Your telegram No. 285: [401 to Foreign Office].

52 Detainees.

RECEIVED IN ?ARCHIV~ › No 41

1

Mr. Gass

1 3 MAY 1968

F013/8:

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PRICKITY HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

Telno 584 10 May 1968

CONFIDENTIAL

Addressed to Peking telegram No. 217 of 10 May Repeated for information to Commonwealth Office

(23

Your telegram No. 289. [407 to Foreign Office].

Jann

137.5 per

There is no regular day for monthly visits, and visitors can come at any date once a month without notifying Prison authorities.

2. Last monthly visits to both Lo and Sit were on 16 April.

Foreign Office please pass Priority Peking as my

telegram 217.

Mr. Gass

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+

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[Repeated as requested]

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1FD13/8-10758153

Mr. Samuel

PJECTS

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Reciprok in net virke's for

PRISON VISITS IN HONG KONG

2.

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125

pample

NONA here?

In preparation for his visit to the Commonwealth

Secretary this afternoon, Mr. Rodgers asked for a note

on the point at issue between Sir Donald Hopson and the

Hong Kong Government in paragraph 2 of Peking telegram

No. 133.70

(70

2. I attach a note.

Copy to Mr. Wilkinson

Janne Unay.

(James Kurray) 21 February, 1968

Vint?

clock il cúrenday

Fc 13/8/149) Fo 13/8/72 FC 12/8/150) L'écouvred in Dept FD13/8/73

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6125

Flag A

PRISON VISITS IN HONG KONG

The Chinese have been using our wish to have consular

access to Mr. Grey in Peking as a means of obtaining wide rights for New China News Agency (and other communist organisations) to make special prison visits, not merely to members of N.C.N.A. but also to other communist journalists

and members of other communist organisations. already visited once a month by relatives and friends. special visits would simply be made into propaganda demon- strations. Hong Kong telegram no. 1908 of 23 December

described the relevant prison rule as follows:

Prisoners are

The

"No persons other than relations and friends shall be allowed to visit prisoners except by special authority;

visite may be made once a month, but extra visits can be approved. Although there is no rule to this effect, there is a standing order that requests for an extra

visit must originate with the prisoner."

2. On 31 December Sir D. Hopson informed the Chinese accordingly. Presumably because their objective is to

establish a quasi-consular status for N.C.N.A., the Chinese

Flag B

Flag C

Government said that they could not agree that the prisoners

3

must themselves make requests for visits (Peking telegram No. 1). However, Hong Kong telegram No. 212 of 19 February put the

position differently:

19

"Extra visits to individual prisoners can be approved for reasonable cause at the prisoner's request. Again,

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/anybody

I

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2

Flag D

3.

anybody wanting to see a prisoner for any special

reasons is of course free to ask to visit him; if

the reasons are compelling, the visit can be allowed

again subject to the prisoner's agreement.

particularly relevant example is that an employer is

usually granted one visit to an employee."

A

The burden of Sir D. Hopson's complaint in paragraph 2

of Peking telegram No. 133 is that the Hong Kong authorities

should have indicated from the outset that if the employers

of the Communist journalists were to request a meeting, they

would usually be granted one visit.

4. That some at any rate of the employers are themselves

in prison may help to explain why the Hong Kong authorities failed to bring to notice the possibility of employer/visits

in the case of communist journalists.

The

5. If there has been any failure of co-ordination in this

case it has probably been between the Colonial Secretariat of the Hong Kong Government and the Prison Services.

latter are no doubt in normal cases a law unto themselves,

and failed in this particular instance to appreciate the political importance of all the issues involved. (In normal

circumstances, the distinction between a visit for which a

prisoner asks, and a visit requested by a friend and to which the prisoner agrees, cannot be very rigid; presumably very

informal action by the prison authorities could transform the

second category into the first.)

Jane

Humay.

(James Murray}

21 February, 1968

CONFIDENTIAL

RECEIVED AXCHIVY :

10 MAY 1968

F013/8

Also @ FC 13/B

124

TOP COPY

CONFIDENTIAL

Cypher/Cat A

PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

распра

Telno. 401

9 May 1968

CONFIDENTIAL

Addressed to Hong Kong telegram No. 285 of Repeated for information to Foreign Office.

May,

120

Paragraph 6 of your telegram No. 575 to Commonwealth

Office.

Grateful to know present total of detainees, as distinct from convicted prisoners, still held as a result of confrontation.

Foreign Office pass Hong Kong 285.

Sir D. Hops on.

[Repeated as requested]

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.0.

F.E.D.

Consular Dept.

News Dept.

Defence Dept.

P.U.S.D.

I.R.D.

..D.

C.O. H.K.

$.A.D.

F.E. & P.D. D.I.S.M.O.D.

DDDDD

CONFIDENTIAL

D IN

No.51

ALSO ON FRIS/8.

10

368

123

FD 13/8.

Cypher/Cat A

CONFIDENTIAL

PRIORITY PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Telno 407 9 May, 1968

CONFIDENTIAL

"OP CO

раткото

Addressed to Hong Kong telegram No. 289 of 9 May Repeated for information to:- Foreign Office

75

Paragraph 2 of Foreign Office telegram No. 459 to me.

Grateful if you would telegraph date of monthly visit to two NONA journalist prisoners.

F.O. pass Priority Hong Kong 289.

Sir D. Hopson

[Repeated as requested]

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.0.

F.E.D.

Consular Dept

News Dept

Defence Dept

P.U.S.D.

I.R.D.

C.O. H.K.D.

F.E.P.D. News Dept S.A.D.

bbbbb

CONFIDENTIAL

ва горе

-F0.3/8

ALSO ON FC 13/8

122

HER/CAT A

CONFIDENTIAL

Jawors

75

ра

PRIORITY FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING

TELNO 460 7 MAY 1968

CONFIDENTIAL.

(FED)

ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NUMBER 460 OF 7 MAY REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG.

M.I.P.T. : GREY.

THE GOVERNOR EXPRESSED HIS FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE DILEMMA WE FACE OVER GREY'S RELEASE, AND AGREED THAT IT WAS UNFORTUNATELY LIKELY THAT THIS COULD NOT BE ACHIEVED UNTIL THE QUESTION OF THE TWO N.C.N.A. REPORTERS HAS BEEN SETTLED TO CHINESE SATISFACTION. THE CHINESE PRICE WOULD PROBABLY BE THE UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF ALL JOURNALISTS AND NEWSPAPER WORKERS UNDER DETENTION. THE GOVERNOR EMPHASISED THAT THOUGH THE SITUATION IN HONG KONG HAD GREATLY IMPROVED THE COMMUNISTS WERE CONSTANTLY SEEKING WAYS TO UNDERMINE THE GOVERNMENT'S AUTHORITY AND THAT THERE WERE THEREFORE SEVERE LIMITATIONS ON CONCESSIONS WHICH COULD BE MADE AT THIS STAGE.

2. THE GOVERNOR MADE IT CLEAR THAT HE WOULD BE HAPPY TO RELEASE ALL QUOTE JOURNALIST PRISONERS UNQUOTE AND ANY NUMBER OF OTHER LEFT-WING PRISONERS, PROVIDED THAT THEY IMMEDIATELY LEFT THE COLONY AND THERE WAS NO COMMITMENT TO ALLOW THEM BACK AT ANY STAGE. BUT HE EMPHASISED THAT THE RELEASE IN THE COLONY OF THE N.C.N.A. REPORTERS OR OTHER PRISONERS IN CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH IT COULD NOT BE GUARANTEED THAT THEY WOULD LEAVE STILL PRESENTED VERY GREAT DIFFICULTY: IF THEY DID NOT LEAVE, THERE WAS NO WAY IN WHICH THEY COULD AGAIN BE DETAINED. UNFORTUNATELY EXPERIENCE OVER THE ATTEMPTED DEPORTATION OF THE FILM STARS SUGGESTED THAT THE CHINESE WOULD BE UNWILLING TO ACCEPT ANYTHING SHORT OF UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE. WE AGREED, HOWEVER, THAT IT WOULD BE WORTH TESTING CHINESE INTENTIONS AGAIN IN THE WAY SUGGESTED IN PARAGRAPH 2 OF HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO. 539 TO THE COMMONWEALTH

OFFICE.

CONFIDENTIAL

/3.

CONFIDENTIAL

2

-

3. THE GOVERNOR SAW DIFFICULTY IN THE PROPOSAL TO RELEASE PRISONERS TO CHINA ON THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY WOULD BE ALLOWED TO RETURN AFTER THE DATE WHEN THEIR SENTENCES WOULD HAVE EXPIRED. THIS WOULD BE REGARDED IN HONG KONG MERELY AS DISGUISED RELEASE AND TAKEN AS A SIGN OF WEAKNESS. THERE WAS ALSO THE PROBLEM THAT CHINESE NORMALLY ONLY LEFT THE COLONY IF THEY WERE IN POSSESSION OF A RE-ENTRY PERMIT WHICH WOULD ALLOW THEM TO GO BACK FREELY. HE AGREED THAT THE AUTHORITIES IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE ASKED TO EXAMINE THE POSSIBILITY OF ISSUING POST-DATED RE-ENTRY PERMITS IN THE EVENT OF A SOLUTION ON THE ABOVE LINES BECOMING FEASIBLE AT SOME STAGE.

4. AS REGARDS A GENERAL AMNESTY, THE GOVERNOR THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS NOT YET ON THE HORIZON, AT ANY RATE IN THE CASE OF MAJOR OFFENDERS (THOSE WHO HAD COMMITTED TRIVIAL OFFENCES WOULD IN ANY CASE BE RELEASED FAIRLY SOON.) THE AMNESTY WOULD BE EXPLOITED BY THE COMMUNISTS AS COMPLIANCE WITH ONE OF THE FIVE DEMANDS AND WOULD DO GREAT DAMAGE, IT WAS AGREED THAT IT WOULD BE UNWISE TO INJECT THE IDEA OF AN AMNESTY EVEN INDIRECTLY INTO DISCUSSIONS OF GREY'S POSSIBLE RELEASE.

5. WE REGARD THE GOVERNOR'S ARGUMENTS AS UNASSAILABLE THOUGH WE RECOGNISE THAT OUR INABILITY TO MAKE A CONCESSION OF SUBSTANCE BLIGHTS ANY PROSPECT OF GREY'S EARLY RELEASE.

6. IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, WE THINK IT WOULD BE WISE TO KEEP THE MATTER OF VISITS AND RELEASE QUITE SEPARATE. WE SHOULD BE GLAD TO HAVE YOUR VIEWS ON THIS: AND ON WHETHER YOU THINK THERE WOULD BE ANY ADVANTAGE IN A FURTHER EFFORT AT THIS STAGE TO NEGOTIATE HIS RELEASE, HINTING TO THE CHINESE THAT THE QUID PRO QUO WOULD BE THE RELEASE TO CHINA (WITHOUT GUARANTEE OF RETURN) OF THE TWO N.C.N.A. JOURNALISTS AND POSSIBLY THE OTHER JOURNALISTS AND NEWSPAPER WORKERS ALSO,

/7.

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

REIGN OFFICE TELEGRAM NO. 160 TO PEKING

- 3-

7. SINCE THIS TELEGRAM WAS DRAFTED WE HAVE RECEIVED HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO. 575 TO C.O. WHICH IS CLOSELY IN LINE WITH THE ABOVE. WE SHALL DISCUSS IT WITH THE GOVERNOR WHEN HE IS IN LONDON ON 13 MAY AND SHOULD WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS BY THEN,

SOSFA

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.O. F.E.D.

CONSULAR DEPT.

NEWS DEPT.

P.U.S.D.

DEFENCE DEPT.

I.R.D.

C.0. H.K.DEPT.

NEWS DEPT. S.A.D.

F.E. & P.DEPT.

CONFIDENTIAL

Also ON FC 13/8.

121

CONFIDENTIAL

F2:13/8

CYPHER/CAT A

PRIORITY FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING

TF C 459

7 MAY, 1968 (FED)

рира.

Japan. 1575

ри

CONFIDENTIAL.

ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NUMBER 459 OF 7 MAY REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG.

(171) FL13/8.

YOUR TELEGRAM NUMBER 348: GREY,

WE HAVE DISCUSSED WITH THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG WHAT STEPS MIGHT NOW BE TAKEN TO GAIN FURTHER ACCESS TO GREY AND TO IMPROVE THE CONDITIONS OF HIS DETENTION.

2. TO GAIN FURTHER CONSULAR ACCESS WE MAY INDEED IN THE FINAL INSTANCE HAVE TO OFFER ANOTHER ROUND OF SPECIAL VISITS TO QUOTE JOURNALIST PRISONERS UNQUOTE IN HONG KONG: BUT WE ARE VERY RELUCTANT TO TAKE AN INITIATIVE AT THIS STAGE. WE AGREE HOWEVER THAT WE SHOULD PUT ON RECORD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE OUR DISSATISFACTION AT THE CONDITIONS IN WHICH GREY IS DETAINED. WE THINK THEREFORE THAT YOUR FIRST STEP SHOULD BE TO TEST WHETHER THE CHINESE WOULD ACCEPT NON-DIPLOMATIC VISITS (E.G. BY FRIENDS IN THE FOREIGN PRESS CORPS) TO MATCH MONTHLY VISITS BY RELATIVES AND FRIENDS ENJOYED BY PRISONERS IN HONG KONG. WE SUGGEST THAT, AS SOON AS THE NEXT MONTHLY VISITS TO THE TWO N.C.N.A. JOURNALISTS HAVE TAKEN PLACE, YOU SHOULD ASK FOR ACCESS ON BEHALF OF ONE OR MORE OF GREY'S FRIENDS.

3. WE HOPE THAT YOU NOW HAVE SUFFICIENT AMMUNITION ON PRISON CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG TO PRESS FOR IMPROVED CONDITIONS FOR GREY. IN DOING SO IT WOULD BE ADVISABLE TO AVOID SO FAR AS POSSIBLE DISCUSSION OF N.C.N.A. COMPLAINTS ABOUT HONG KONG PRISON CONDITIONS. YOU WILL NO DOUBT WISH TO MAKE THE POINT IN PARAGRAPH 2 OF YOUR TELEGRAM UNDER REFERENCE.

4. WE CONSIDERED WHETHER THERE WAS ANY STEP THAT COULD BE TAKEN IN HONG KONG TO BACK UP YOUR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE GREY'S CONDITIONS. THE POSSIBILITIES ARE VERY LIMITED SINCE THE TREATMENT OF PRISONERS

CONFIDENTIAL

/IN

CONFIDENTIAL

+

IN HONG KONG IS SO LIBERAL. THE GOVERNOR DID SUGGEST THE POSSIBILITY OF PUTTING THE TWO N.C.N.A. AND OTHER JOURNALISTS INTO AN OPEN PRISON. THERE MAY, HOWEVER, BE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES: AND IT IS ARGUABLE THAT CERTAIN POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES (E.G. PRISONERS MAY BE LESS ACCESSIBLE TO VISITORS AND LIABLE TO HEAVIER WORK) MAY MORE THAN CANCEL OUT ANY PRESENTATIONAL ADVANTAGES OF SUCH A MOVE. WE WOULD WELCOME HONG KONG'S COMMENTS ON THIS SUGGESTION,

5. M.I.F.T. DEALS WITH THE QUESTION OF NEGOTIATING THE RELEASE OF GREY.

SOSFA

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.O. F.E.D.

CONSULAR DEPT.

NEWS DEPT.

DEFENCE DEPT.

P.U.S.D.

I.R.D.

C.O. H.K.D.

F.E. AND P.D.

NEWS DEPT.

SOUTH ASIA DEPT,

CONFIDENTIAL


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