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RECEIVED IN
REGISTRY No.52
27 JUN1974
|IJKK 14/5
RE
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TO IMMEDIATE GOVERNOR HONG KONG TELNO 18 OF 27 JUNE, 1974 INFO TO ROUTINE FCO.
YOUR TELEGRAM NUMBER 11: REPATRIATED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
1.
AGENCY REPORTS ARE CORRECT, WE HAVE ALREADY REPORTED TO FCO, COPY TO YOU, THAT THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED THE TRANSFER OF THE 118 TO CON SON ISLAND ON
25 JUNE.
ATHERE
2. THIS IS NOT SO ALARMING AS IT SOUNDS. THERE IS A STEADY STREAM OF OFFICIAL VISITORS TO CON SON. MY PREDECESSOR VISITED THERE LAST DECEMBER, AND MY AUSTRALIAN COLLEAGUE EARLIER THIS MONTH. THE IMPRESSION GAINED BY THESE VISITORS IS THAT THE MAIN PRISON IS WELL RUN AND HAS LESS RESTRICTIONS THAN WOULD BE NECESSARY IN NORMAL PRISONS BECAUSE THE ISLAND IS SO FAR FROM THE MAINLAND. THE ''HELL HOLE' REPUTATION DERIVES FROM THE NOTORIOUSAAIGER CAGE BLOCK MUCH PUBLICISED A FEW YEARS AGO. SO FAR AS WE CAN TELL., THIS IS NOW CLOSED
DOWN.
3. THE SPOKESMAN CLAIMED THE PURPOSE OF THE TRANSFER
TO CON SON WAS 'TO PRESERVE THE SECRECY OF THE INVESTIGATION AND AVOID BRIBERY''. WE EXPECT HIM TO BE QUESTIONED BY JOURNALISTS AT HIS PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, AND SHALL REPORT
FURTHER ON DEVELOPMENTS.
4.
(HONG KONG ONLY). GRATEFUL ALSO FOR INFORMATION REQUESTED IN PARA 3 OF MY TEL NO 15 OF 6 JUNE.
BUSHELL
FILES
HKIOD
SEAD
MVD
MTD
DEFENCE DEPT
LEGAL ADVISERS GIPD
/REPEATED AS REQUESTED7
NEWS DEPT
PS
PS/LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS PS/MR ENNALS
PS/PUS
MR WILFORD MR MALE
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