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9. If it is agreed that we respond to the approach, both
we and the Commonwealth Office think that Mr. Cater, formerly
Deputy Colonial Secretary but who now holds the para-governmental
appointment of Executive Director of the Trade Advisory Council,
would be our best representative. Kis nomination would serve
Development-
to emphasise the informal nature of the talks; and he would be
more easily disowned, if need be, than the Political Adviser.
10. The present position on the various issues which will
have to be discussed at an Office reeting on Sino-British relations
is as follows:
(a) Mr. Fatt
See paragraph 6(a) above. Sir D. Hopson is trying to obtain
details of the charges and of the trial, and consular access.
(b) Er. Grey, the Reuters correspondent detained in Peking
Discussions are proceeding with representatives of New China
News Agency (N.C.N.A.) in Hong Kong about additional visits by
N.C.N.A. representatives to communist journalists in prison.
These visits would be on the clear understanding of reciprocity
in the form of visita to Mr. Grey -
(o) 8.8. "Demodocus"
s.s.
See paragraph 6(c) above. The Chinese employee of the Blue
Funnel agents in Hong Kong who has been in Shanghai dealing with
the detention of the ship, is due back in Hong Kong tomorrow.
His last message from Shanghai seemed to hold out some hope that
the ship right soon be releaved.
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