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Mr Davies
DETENTION OF MR PARRY MP
1.
From: Warwick Morris Date: 30 April 1992
CC: PS
PS/Mr Goodl ad
PS/Mr Lennox-Boyd Sir J Coles
Mr Burns
Hd/Consular Department
Mr Crystal, News Dept Hd/Hong Kong Dept
The latest news from Peking was relayed in a telephone message to me by Mr Coates from Peking at 1315. I also spoke briefly to Sir Robin McLaren.
He
2. Sir Robin McLaren has put in an urgent request for a call this evening on the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister. is not optimistic that he will be seen at that level but hopes to be seen by somebody. Because of the May holiday and the number of visitors in Peking he cannot even be sure of that. But he is pursuing.
3.
Mr Coates had just returned with Mr Clarke from scouring the city. He had been to several police stations in the Forbidden City area and to the Foreign Affairs Office there. They noticed that on a desk were photos of the European MPs' papers. Eventually a policeman told them that there had been an incident in which members of the group had behaved in a way incompatible with their status. The policeman said they had not been detained but were "explaining things to the police". Mr Coates and Mr Clarke were unable to ascertain exactly where the group were but made it clear to the police authorities that they wanted consular access, names and details of any British people detained etc. They also sought a full account of what had allegedly been done.
4. Subsequently Mr Coates had a message from UPI to the effect that the group had been taken for a meal by the Chinese but were still in some form of detention. He was also told that the British journalist Mr Miles had been separated from the others, that he too was accused of acting in a way incompatible with his status but that he might be released. (There is a press report here since he has been.) Mr Coates and others are continuing to pursue, and to keep us in the picture as and when there are developments. They have of course contacted various Ministries and organisations but because it is evening and a holiday period they have had even less assistance than usual.
CS9AFN
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