CYPHER/CAT-A- AND BY BAG
PRIORITY FOREIGN OFFICE
TELEGRAM NUMBER 790
CONFIDENTIAL
TO PEKING
14 AUGUST 1968 (F)
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ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NUMBER 790 OF 14 AUGUST REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG AND SAVING TO WASHINGTON.
PUBLICITY.
A REPORT IN THE DAILY TELEGRAPH TODAY BY FRANK ROBERTSON DATELINED HONG KONG 13 AUGUST ABOUT THE DEPARTURE OF SIR D. HOPSON FROM CHINA STATED THAT HE WOULD QUOTE NOT BE REPLACED AND ONLY A SKELETON STAFF WILL BE KEPT IN PEKING UNQUOTE. IT ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS UNDERSTOOD THAT ONE OF THE CONDITIONS GOVERNING SIR D. HOP SON'S RELEASE WAS THE DECISION QUOTE TO RE-OPEN A COMMUNIST MIDDLE SCHOOL. UNQUOTE TO CLARIFY THE POSITION NEWS DEPARTMENT MADE A STATEMENT ON THE RECORD AT TODAY'S LUNCHTIME PRESS CONFERENCE (SEE MY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING TELEGRAM),
2. THE SAME REPORT QUOTED MATHER THE SECURITY GUARD AS SAYING THAT HE FELT CERTAIN THAT GREY WOULD BE RELEASED QUOTE AS SOON AS THE THREE (SIC) CHINESE COMMUNIST JOURNALISTS IMPRISONED IN HONG KONG FOR RIOTING LAST SUMMER WERE FREED UNQUOTE. HE MAY HAVE BEEN MISQUOTED OR HAD WORDS PUT IN HIS MOUTH, BUT IN VIEW OF THE DELICACY OF ANY POSSIBLE NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE RELEASE OF GREY WE SHOULD BE GLAD IF YOU WOULD EMPHASISE TO MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF LEAVING CHINA UNDESIRABILITY OF COMMENTING OR BEING LED INTO COMMENT ON SUCH MATTERS. SO SFA
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** HIVES No. 63 20 ACC508
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