DEONER
Plago
H & I
matter drop.
The question of prisoners has boen after all
an integral part of their "five demands" since 1967. What
remains to be seen is whether the question of these prisoners
remains a matter of ritual protest or whether the Chinese go
on to bring specific pressure to bear on H.N.G. to secure
their release.
5. The Governor assumes the latter case, and thinks that
further pressure for concessions is likely to be directed
against Hong Kong. He believes that the local communists
(and probably the Peking Government too) consider that further
pressure on London and Hong Kong will gradually gain them
their objectives, although they are likely to be flexible
over timing. The Governor also thinks that the communists
consider H.M.G. in London to be more responsive to pressure
than the Hong Kong Government. The Governor goes on to state view that our recent 'concessions" have contributed to establishing the again his/belief in the minds of the communists that we are
susceptible to pressure, rather than stimulating them to
genuine reciprocation. (In view of the support which Far
Eastern Department have in practice given the Governor, I am
slightly irritated at the implication that we have somehow
pushed the Hong Kong authorities into injudicious measures.
The Governor reminds us of warnings received through covert
channels that ill effects would result from our giving away.
too much for insufficient return (see Hong Kong telegrams
Nos. 2001, 230 and 391).
HWB 8/2
TS ANNEY
3 -
SECRET