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did not specifically guarantee Mr. Grey's release, nevertheless
we have assumed that this was indeed a firm price for his
release. As for the newsworkers, tan of them were due to be
released with full remission in September 1969 and the remaining
one, Wong Chak, in February 1971.
3.
Following this statement, the Chinese indicated through
covert channels that they expected a reply to their 'offer'
from the Hong Kong Government. We were not sanguine about the
chances of success but it was felt that rather than wait until
September we ought to explore any opportunity of securing
Hr. Grey's release.
The Governor of Hong Kong was instructed
to make contact with the Chinese to explore their intentions.
After discussions he offered to release the Chinese neweworkers
either to China or to Macao for the remainder of their
sentences.
This offer was not taken up by the Chinese and we
have assumed from their silence that they have rejected it.
These covert negotiations with the Chinese have never been made
public and should not be mentioned to the Grey family.
4. The Governor in Hong Kong then set in motion a review of
the cases of prisoners serving sentences longer than four
years. The Board of Review has now completed its review of
the first batch of cases and an announcement was made on 9 May
that the sentences of eleven prisoners, including Wong Chak,
have now been reduced from five to three years. As a result
Wong Chak is now due for release on 4 October this year. Thus
all eleven newsworkers are due for release by the first week
of October. The text of the statement by the Hong Kong
Government (Hong Kong telegram BIS No. 8), and a selection of
comment in the British press are attached.
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