4.
RESTRICTED
- 3
prison cells just because they love their country so fervently and protested against national oppression. Such kind of behaviour is not only against the usual international practice and tramples on press freedom but is also a kind of out and out national oppression and as such is outrageous. The British authorities in Hong Kong should immediately release all the patriotic journalists and compatriots. Before their release you have the responsibility to improve their unreasonable living conditions which they are enduring so as to eliminate thoroughly the state of cold and hunger. Careful and effective medical care should be given to cure all their ailments. You should stop at once such provocative and savage acts of insulting and assaulting our patriotic compatriots and also guarantee that such incidents will not occur again.
After he had finished reading this message Mr. Tam said that he would be sending round to the Political Adviser's office an official version in Chinese. I made no comment but said that I would pass the message on.
c.c. D.S.
D.S.B.
C. of Prs.
F.C.O.
Peking.
Liflunghe
(R.J.T. McLaren)
A.P.A. 30.11.68
}
M
.