187
CONFIDENTIAL
CYPHER/CAT A
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IMMEDIATE HONG KONG ΤΟ COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
TELNO 357
20 MARCH 1968
CONFIDENTIAL
ADDRESSED TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TELEGRAM NO. 357 OF 20 MARCH REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO PEKING
HW
26)
PEKING TELEGRAM NO.
153 TO H.K.: PRISON VISITS.
WE AGREE IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE CHINESE ARE INSISTING ON A MEMBER OF THE P.A. 'S OFFICE BEING PRESENT DURING THE VISITS PARTLY IN ORDER TO CLAIM A SIMILAR RIGHT WITH GREY, THOUGH WE BELIEVE THE REQUEST PROBABLY ALSO HAD THE GENUINE AIM
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CAS THE NCNA REPRESENTATIVES TOLD US) OF AVOIDING MISUNDERSTANDINGS AND ARGUMENTS AT THE ACTUAL TIME OF THE VISITS.
2. IT WOULD IN ANY CASE BE NECESSARY FOR US TO HAVE, A PRISON
WARDER IN ATTENDANCE DURING NCNA VISITS, TO GUARD AGAINST MISBEHAVIOUR AS WELL AS PHOTOGRAPHY. THUS WE FEAR THAT CHINESE
T-CERTA
WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY INSIST ON SIMILAR PRESENCE DURING ANY VISIT TO GREY.
3. WE SHALL OFFER NCNA AT LEAST 15 MINUTES PER PRISONER. THOUGH
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CHINESE MAY INDEED RELATE THE LENGTH OF TIME OF NCNA VISITS DIRECTLY TO VISIT TO GREY, TOTAL LENGTH OF TIME OF INDIVIDUAL NCNA VISITS WOULD AMOUNT ON THE 15-MINUTE BASIS TO MORE THAN TWO AND A HALF HOURS, AND THIS COULD PERHAPS BE USED TO COUNTER THE CHINESE ARGUMENTS ON LINES PEKING SUGGEST.
FO PLEASE PASS IMMEDIATE PEKING AS MYTEL 123.
SIR D. TRENCH
[REPETITION TO PEKING REFERRED
FOR DEPARTMENTAL DECISION |
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