SECRET
CYPHER/CAT A
IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TOP COPY
TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
TELEGRAM NUMBER 2123
28 OCTOBER 1968
SECRET
p.a. $329
ADDRESSED FCO TELEGRAM NO. 2123 OF 28TH OCTOBER REPEATED
PA SINGAPORE, CANBERRA, WASHINGTON, AND SAVING TO PEKING.
HK
10
FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE AND CABINET OFFICE FOR JIC
FOLLOWING FROM LIC. WEEKLY ASSESSMENT OF THE SITUATION AS AT 0600
HOURS 28TH OCTOBER 1968 FOLLOWS.
THE PRINCIPAL FEATURES OF THE PERIOD HAVE BEEN:
(A) CONTINUING COMMUNIST PRESS EXPLOITATION OF THE LABOUR DISPUTE
BETWEEN BLIND WORKERS AND THE MANAGEMENT OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND
FACTORY CPARAGRAPH 1CA) OF TELEGRAM 2109). GOVERNMENT IS STILL
MEDIATING AND RELIEF PAYMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE BLIND WORKERS,
A NUMBER OF WHOM HAVE CONTINUED TO PICKET THE FACTORY. WHILE THERE
IS NO EVIDENCE OF COMMUNIST DIRECTION OF, THE DISPUTE, FOUR OF THE
BLIND WORKERS HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH A COMMUNIST LABOUR ORGANIS-
-ATION, WHICH HAS OFFERED SYMPATHY AND ENCOURAGEMENT.
(B) MORE FUNCTIONS TO WELCOME RECENTLY RELEASED DETAINEES (PARAGRAPH
1(B) OF TELEGRAM 2109) SEMICOLON, HOWEVER, THE FEMALE
FILM STAR IS NOW UNDER INSTRUCTIONS TO REFUSE FURTHER INTERVIEWS WITH
THE PRESS SO AS TO AVOID SENSATIONALISM. IT IS PROBABLE THAT THE
COMMUNISTS ARE SEEKING TO PLAY DOWN PUBLICITY IN ORDER NOT TO
SPOIL THE CHANCE OF FURTHER DETAINEES BEING FREED.
(C) THE TERMINATION ON 22ND OCTOBER OF VARIETY SHOWS MARKING THE
C.P.G. NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS. AT MEETINGS OF SENIOR
COMMUNISTS TO REVIEW THE CELEBRATIONS IT WAS AGREED THAT SOME HAD
BEEN TOO 'RED' AND THAT THEY HAD NOT ATTRACTED AS MANY NEUTRALS'
AS HAD BEEN ANTICIPATED.
(D)
CONTINUED INSPECTIONS OF COMMUNIST SCHOOLS (PARAGRAPH 1(D)
OF TELEGRAM NO. 2109) SEMICOLON ALTHOUGH THE STAFF
AT A FEW ESTABLISHMENTS MADE TOKEN PROTESTS CONCERNING THE IMPRISON-
-MENT LAST YEAR OF COMMUNIST TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, THE INSPECTIONS
OTHERWISE PASSED OFF WITHOUT INCIDENT.
SECRET
RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVE,.63 EX9 OCT1968
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