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on social and economic grievances. This policy was reiterated ·
at a meeting of senior editorial staff of the Wen Wei Pao as
recently as the 13th October. It would seem from this, therefore,
that, in all probability, the tone of the newspapers will soften
again following the Minister's departure.
However, even if this
does occur, they will probably resume their calls for militant
action from time to time in future,
7
Due to a number of complicating factors, action
against the remaining communist newspapers has been inhibited in
These factors have been considered in depth before
the past.
but it is felt that the time is ripe for a re-examination.
3.
a)
b)
Advantages of Action
It would deny the communists one of their last
powerful weapons in the local confrontation;
it would provide a further demonstration to
the public that Government intends to maintain
the rule of law and stand firm against the
communist confrontation. This, in turn, would
no doubt influence the remaining 'fence sitters'
and encourage them to side with Government;
c)
it would enable Government to retain the
initiative at a time when action against
a)
communist premises is becoming increasingly
less productive;
it would remove one of the main driving
forces behind the present troubles, since the
exhortations to violence arouse not only the
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