GRPS 223 IMMEDIATE
CYPHER/CAT A
FM HONG KONG 080655Z
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
RECEIVED IN
REGISTRY No. 52
- 8 JAN 1974
1+KK 14/5
TO IMMEDIATE F C O TELNO 23 OF 8TH JANUARY, 1974. INFO PRIORITY SAIGON..
YOUR TELEGRAM NUMBER 1325: LEUNG PAK-KIN,
REF.
4) PAW (5)
NEXT
LEUNG HAS REMAINED IN DETENTION HERE SINCE WE SUSPENDED
HIS REMOVAL ON 22ND DECEMBER FOLLOWING THE INTERVENTION BY AMNESTY THROUGH YOU. WE HAVE SO FAR BEEN RELUCTANT TO LET HIM OUT ON RECOGNIZANCE LEST HE GO TO EARTH BUT WE CANNOT CO ON DOING SO.
2a WE SHOULD THEREFORE BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR VERY EARLY GUIDANCE, DEARING IN MIND THAT AMNESTY PROMISED REPRESENTATIONS TO YOU IMMEDIATELY AFTER CHRISTMAS.
ما
3. NONE OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY H.M, AMBASSADOR IN SAIGON, BY AMNESTY OR EVEN BY LEUNG HIMSELF SINCE 22 DECEMBER SUGGESTS THE SLIGHTEST LIKELIHOOD OF HIS BEING EXECUTED
IF HE IS RETURNED TO VIETNAM. ALL THE EVIDENCE IS THAT HE DID NOT DESERT BUT LEFT IN ORDER TO AVOID THE DRAFT.
WE STILL THINK IT APPROPRIATE THEREFORE THAT HE SHOULD BE RETURNED TO VIETNAM. TO ALLOW HIM TO GO TO TAIWAN IS A POSSIBILITY BUT FOR THE REASONS GIVEN IN PARAGRAPH 2 OF MY TELEGRAM NO. 1494 THIS IS VERY MUCH SECOND BEST AND COULD CAUSE US
EMBARRASSMENT IN FUTURE CASES.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
HK TO D
SEAD
1
NEWS DEPT
LEGAL ADVISERS
PRIVATE SECRETARY
PS/MR ROYLE
MR WILFORD
MR YOUDE
CONFIDENTIAL.
COPIES TO
HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE 6 GRAFTON ST.