CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO DESKBY 11120OZ PEKING
TELNO 570
OF 11112OZ JUNE 89
AND TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
CONFIDENTIAL
HKB 020/14
(69)
000523
MDHOAN 2996
ерновий
enter
ADVISER'S OFFICE
W1216
HONG KONG FOR POLITICAL
TELECONS ORR/PRIME AND MCCLEARY/BRADLEY/PIGGOT CHINA INTERNAL: DETENTION OF HONG KONG STUDENT
1.
AT 110635Z HM CONSUL GENERAL SHANGHAI CALLED THE EMERGENCY UNIT. HE SAID THAT A HONG KONG STUDENT (DETAILS IN MIFT) HAD CALLED THE CONSUL GENERAL TO SEEK ASSISTANCE IN LEAVING CHINA. HE HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN A LOCAL STUDENT MOVEMENT. A MEMBER OF THE CG'S STAFF HAD GONE WITH HIM TO THE AIRPORT: BUT THE STUDENT HAD BEEN LED AWAY FOR QUESTIONING AS HE WENT THROUGH IMMIGRATION. THE CG STAFF MEMBER HAD TRIED TO INTERVENE, BUT HAD BEEN TOLD IT WAS A QUOTE PURELY INTERNAL MATTER UNQUOTE.
2.
WE CONTACTED BRADLEY IN THE POLITICAL ADVISER'S OFFICE IN
HONG KONG TO ASK THEM TO TO LODGE A PROTEST WITH NCNA. ORR HAS
DONE THE SAME WITH THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS BUREAU IN SHANGHAI. MEANWHILE THE STUDENT HAS QUOTE DISAPPEARED UNQUOTE AND THE AIRPORT AUTHORITIES DENY ANY KNOWLEDGE OF HIM.
3. WE INSTRUCTED PIGGOTT AT 11094OZ THAT THE MATTER SHOULD
BE TAKEN UP IMMEDIATELY AND AT A SUITABLY HIGH LEVEL WITH THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, PREFERABLY THE HONG KONG AND MACAO OFFICE CHKMO). THE TERMS IN WHICH IT SHOULD BE RAISED WERE THAT
CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG HAD ALREADY TAKEN A SEVERE BLOW. INCIDENTS OF THIS KIND COULD ONLY MAKE THINGS MUCH WORSE. WE
LOOKED TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO HAVE THINGS RESOLVED AS
QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
NO
4. AT 1110OOZ PIGGOTT PHONED BACK TO SAY THAT YOUR HEAD OF
CHANCERY HAD BEEN TOUCH WITH THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
ONE HAD BEEN AVAILABLE IN THE HKMO, SO HE HAD SPOKEN TO THE CONSULAR DEPARTMENT DUTY OFFICER IN THE TERMS WE HAD SUGGESTED.
HOARE HAD SAID THAT THE EMBASSY WOULD BE HAPPY TO RECEIVE A CALL
AT ANY TIME, DAY OR NIGHT, ABOUT THE CASE.
5. GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD REPORT AS SOON AS YOU HAVE ANY WORD.
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