Cypher/Cat A
CONFIDENTIAL
439
IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
Telno. 471
TOP COPY
11 April 1968
Ни
CONFIDENTIAL
Addressed to C.0. telegram No. 471 of 11 April Repeated for information to:
Peking and FOLAD Singapore.
436 My telegram No. 453: Prison Visits,
After visiting two female prisoners yesterday, NCNA demanded interview with Prison Superintendent to complain of insufficient medical care to two seriously injured' Left-Wing prisoners. Assistant Political Advisers declined their request, but noted complaint and referred them to Commissioner of Prisons. Visitors eventually left, threatening to lodge a further protest. The Superindent later confirmed that a group of new left-wing prisoners had provoked a fracas with other inmates on 29 March, following which two Communists had been treated for bruises. Left-wing Press has not mentioned this incident so far.
2. Today's Left-Wing Press headlines NCNA visits, described as
specially arranged by the British through negotiations, under the close concern and support of the Motherland'. The reports, which are substantially correct, emphasise the official nature of the visits and the role of NCNA. Presence of Assistant Political Adviser at the prison gates was also noted. Editorials in the main Hong Kong Left- Wing newspapers urge Hong Kong authorities to release newspaper workers and other patriotic newspaper workers immediately.
3. Comment on visits in independent and Right-Wing Chinese Press has been on the whole favourable though there have been remarks to the effect that concessions should not be all from one side. English language newspapers interpret the visits as a sigr. of desire of Hong Kong Government and local Communist to reduce tension. At least one non-Communist Chinese newspaper suggested that visits were result of a deal to gain access to Grey.
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4.2 Visits are clearly being used for morale-building among prisoners and Left-Wing. However, NCNA do not appear to have raised prisoners hopes of imminent release, and Wen Hui Pao quotes visited prisoners as saying 'if necessary, we are prepared to sit it out in prison'
C.O. pass Immediate Peking 166.
Sir D. Trench
[Repetition to Peking referred for departmental
decision]
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