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barrier to indefinite detention, careful prior consideration of such moves and full justification for them seems specially
necessary.
5. The grounds advanced for renewed order are security of the Colony. The question of how far these detainees can be considered security risks now was raised in my telegram No. 898. If people like No. 3 can be detained on a new order now,
a year after arrest, there seems no logical reason why they cannot be detained indefinitely. I think it would be appropriate to have some explanation from Hong Kong Government why security would be endangered if these detainees were released now. Can we have an estimate of when No. 3 is likely
to be no longer a serious security risk?
6. I assume it is too late to reconsider the matter of No. 3, though if there is any opportunity I urge it should be done. If the question cannot be reconsidered I hope everything possible will be done to soften the impact of this decision by getting it over at once to the Communists that the renewal of the order is purely an administrative matter and does not mean detention for full period of renewed warrant. It might be said that the Hong Kong Government were reluctant to release him just before 1 October.
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7. This latest news makes it even more necessary to come to an urgent decision on the policy over detainees. We seem to have reached a cross-roads. Do we wish to continue a policy of de-escalation in Sino-British relations, using the release of detainees in order to encourage current improvement?
My impression was that this was your intention. It seems, however, from Hong Kong telegrams Nos. 2015 and 2034 that Governor does not share this view and is pursuing a different policy.
I
should be grateful for a ruling on what Her Majesty's Government's policy on this issue is.
Foreign Office pass Hong Kong Immediate.
Mr. Cradock
[Repeated as requested]
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