TALKING POINT
Mr. Anthony Grey
I understand that you are concerned about a letter
published in "he Times" yesterday by a Mr. Rear comparing
Anthony Grey's position with that of certain detainees in
Hong Kong which implied that Grey's fate was in some way
associated with the release of those detainees. In my view
this is a false analogy. As you know the Chinese have
stated publicly that Grey was detained in retaliation for the
arrest of a number of New China News Agency correspondents
and news workers in Hong Kong. These newsmen were all
tried and sentenced by the courts. So far as we are aware
the Chinese have not linked his case with that of the detainees.
The detainees are a special group including a number of hard
liners responsible for bomb incidents last year in which women
and children were killed. Their number has fallen from a
maximum of 54 at the height of the crisis to 32 and further
releases will be made as and when conditions permit.
But I
am sure that you will understand that releases can only be made
in the light of the security requirements of Hong Kong and when
it is felt that releases will present no danger to the local
population. The Hong Kong Government dislikes the use of these
detention orders, but bearing in mind the scale of violence
last year they have been used with moderation.
Far Eastern Department
12 November, 1968.