CONFIDENTIAL
CYPHER/CAT A
IMMEDIATE PEKING TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
TELNO 138
26 FEBRUARY 1969
CONFIDENTIAL
For Murray Far Eastern Department.
I
My predecessor's farewell interview indicated that, it might be possible to start a more sane dialogue with the Chinese about Sino/British relations. The Chinese may
indeed expect that I shall have something fresh to say.
am afriad, however, that unless we can show some progress, however small, towards meeting the Chinese over Hong Kong, the momentum is likely to die and I see little prospect of progress in release of British subjects. I am fully conscious of difficulties involved in release of convicted
prisoners but I hope that question of the four remaining detainees can again be reviewed after Moreton's return. If, as I understand, it is likely that they will be released within a few months on expiration of existing warrants, is
there any point in detaining them until then when there is political advantage to be gained vis-a-vis the Chinese by
releasing them immediately? I know from discussions in Hong Kong that many officials consider that there would be no real security risk in releasing all four.
MR. DENSON
FILES
FAR EASTERN DEPT. HONG KONG DEPT.
SIR J. JOHNSTON
SIR A.
P.S.
GALSWORTHY
P.U.S.
P.S. M/STATE LORD SHEPHERD
PRIVATE SECRETARY
AAAAA
CONFIDENTIAL
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