CYPHER/CAT A
SECRET
RECEIVE
IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TO COMMⱭ NWEALTH
TELNO. 963
A OFFICE - 6 AUĢIO
6 AUGUST 1968
SECRET
HWA
P.a.
$57/8
ADDRESSED CO TELEGRAM NO. 963 OF 6TH AUGUST REPEATED PA SINGAPORE,
WASHINGTON, CANBERRA, AND SAVING TO PEKING.
FOR COMMONWEALTH OFFICE AND CABINET OFFICE FOR JIC. FOLLOWING FROM
LIC WEEKLY ASSESSMENT OF THE SITUATION AS AT 0600 HOURS 5TH AUGUST
1968 FOLLOWS. THE PRINCIPAL FEATURES OF THE PERIOD HAVE BEEN:-
(A) CONTINUING COMMUNIST REACTION TO THE CHUNG WAH SCHOOL ISSUE
WHICH, ALTHOUGH BECOMING MORE WIDE-SPREAD, HAS REMAINED RELATIVELY
MODERATE. A LETTER, BEARING THE CHOP OF THE OWNER OF THE SCHOOL,
WAS DELIVERED TO GOVERNMENT DEMANDING HIS RELEASE AND ASKING FOR
POSTPONEMENT OF THE DATE C6TH AUGUST) ON WHICH HE HAS BEEN INVITED
TO EXCERCISE HIS RIGHT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE EDUCATION
ORDINANCE TO APPEAR BEFORE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL. THESE POINTS WERE
REJECTED IN WRITING. GOVERNMENT HAD EARLIER REITERATED TO THE
OWNER HIS POSITION REGARDING APPEAL CPARAGRAPH 1CA) OF
TELEGRAM NO. 945). IT IS NOW CLEAR THAT HE DOES NOT INTEND TO
EXCERCISE HIS LEGAL RIGHTS. PROPAGANDA ATTACKING GOVERNMENT ON
THIS ISSUE REMAINED AT A HIGH LEVEL IN THE COMMUNIST PRESS, THE
MAIN ITEM BEING A STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE SCHOOL ISSUED BY THE
KWANG TUNG SUPPORT COMMITTEE ON 3RD AUGUST. EMPHASIS HAS BEEN LAID
ALSO ON THE INABLITY OF THE OWNER TO CONDUCT AN APPEAL WHILST IN
DETENTION. PROTEST MEETINGS HAVE CONTINUED TO BE HELD WITHIN
EDUCATIONAL CIRCLES AND IN A FEW OTHER ORGANISATIONS HAVE CONVENED.
GATHERINGS ON THIS SUBJECT. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN FIVE SMALL
DELEGATIONS TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS REGARDING THE ORIGINAL THREE
SECRET
/DEMANDS
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