Cypher/Cat A
CONFIDENTIAL
IMMEDIATE PEKING TO
PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Telno 2
1 January 1968
CONFIDENTIAL
10
232 A
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 2 of 1 January Repeated for information to Hong Kong
My immediately preceding telegram.
West German News Agency correspondent told me last night that his East German colleague had just given him some news about Grey. East German apparently said he had been told by Chinese official in Press Department of Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Grey's conditions of confinement had recently been improved. Up to 3 weeks ago he had been confined to one room in his house and had been having ordinary Chinese workmen's food.
Now he was allowed to use
Chinese official is
2 rooms and was getting good food. alleged to have suggested to East German that he should pass this information on.
2. It looks as if this devious Chinese manoeuvre is part and parcel of their publicity operation about prisoners in Hong Kong, is calculated to improve their own propaganda position about Grey and may imply threat that his conditions could become more severe again if we do not meet their demands.
Foreign Office please pass Hong Kong 2. Mr. Hopson
[Repeated as requested]
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