CYPHER/CAT 'A'
IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
CONFIDENTIAL
TELEGRAM NUMBER 845
CONFIDENTIAL
ΤΟ
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
3 JULY 1968
609
Woh lots.
Сь
HWAD/19
ADDRESSED CO TELNO 845 OF 3RD JULY KFI PEKING.
(607
MY TELEGRAM 839 : DETAINEES.
WE HAVE SEEN AN NCNA REPORT REPRODUCED BY AP STATING THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT INTEND TO DEPORT CAPTAIN POPE AND MR.
.D.Y.JONES.
2. I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE NOTICE OF
THEIR ARRIVAL AT LO WU OR ALTERNATIVELY CONFIRMATION OF THEIR ACTUAL
DEPARTURE FROM CHINA IF BY SOME OTHER ROUTE.
3. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT SOME ADVANTAGE MIGHT BE GAINED BY TIMING
THE RELEASE OF THE FIRST TWO DETAINEES TO FOLLOW AS CLOSELY AS
POSSIBLE AFTER THE ACTUAL EXPULSION OF POPE AND JONES. ADMITTEDLY, NEITHER OF THE DETAINEES PROPOSED IS IN A PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT
OR SENSITIVE CATEGORY AND I WOULD NOT WANT TO MAKE UNSOLICITED
PUBLICITY OF THEIR RELEASE BUT I FEEL THAT THE COINCIDENCE WOULD
NOT PASS UNNOTICED BY THE COMMUNISTS AND THAT WE MIGHT BY THIS
TIMING HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF GAINING SOMETHING WITHOUT STANDING
TO LOSE ANYTHING.
FO PLEASE PASS IMMEDIATE PEKING.
LAST
RI
SIR D. TRENCH
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED].
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