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IN HONG KONG, PARTICULARLY IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY ASSURANCE OR HINT REGARDING THE RELEASE OF GREY : AND INDEED IN FACE OF THE ADVICE RECEIVED FROM CONTACT THAT THERE IS QUOTE NO PRICE UNQUOT IF IT FAILED WE SHOULD BE IN THE EMBARRASSING POSITION ANTICIPATED IN PARA. 2 OF TEL. NO, 1414 OF 32 AUGUST,
4. IN THIS DIFFICULT SITUATION, WE ACCEPT THAT THE LEAST UNSATISF- ACTORY COURSE OF ACTION IS TO PROCEED AS YOU PROPOSE,1.E. AWAIT THE RELEASE OF HSUEH, WITH REMISSION, ON 17 NOVEMBER AND SEE WHAT THEN
HAPPENS,
5. WE MUST HOWEVER RECOGNISE THAT IF THE CHINESE DO NOT RESPOND BY RELEASING GREY SHOPTLY THEREAFTER, WE SHALL BE IN A MOST DIFFICULT POSITION. IF THE CHINESE HAVE NOT RELEASED GREY WITHIN SAY 4 WEEKS FROM 17 NOVEMBER THERE WOULD BE A STRONG CASE FOR CONSIDERING THE UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE AT THAT POINT OF LO, WE SHALL THEN BE IN THE POSITION ENVISAGED IN PARA . 2 OF YOUR TELEGRAM NO. 1020. HSUEH WILL HAVE DONE HIS TIME, WE SHALL HAVE ATTEMPTED TO NEGOTIATE THE RELEASE OF GREY AND SHALL HAVE FAILED. THE RELEASE OF LO CAN BE IMPLIED TO BE THE OUTCOME OF OUR EXCHANGES WITH THE CHINESE AND WILL THEREFORE, AS YOU POINTED OUT, BE MUCH MORE ACCEPTABLE IN HONG KONG, -
6. ACTION ON THESE LINES WILL BRING US CLOSE TO CHRISTMAS. WE MUST IN ANY CASE ANTICIPATE RENEWED PUBLICITY ABOUT GREY AROUND THE TIME OF HSUER'S RELEASE, AND THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE PRESSURE ON MINISTERS TO SHOW THAT A SERIOUS EFFORT HAS BEEN MADE ON HIS BEHALF. YOU MAY
ALSO FEEL THAT THE APPROACH OF CHRISTMAS WOULD MAKE IT EASIER TO PRESENT THE RELEASE OF LO APPROPRIATELY FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION.
CROSEC
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.O. F.E.D.
C.0. H.K. DEPARTMENT,
F.0. NEWS DEPARTMENT
CONSULAR DEPARTMENT
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