P.C.D.
Consuler Dept. D.D. & P.U.S.D. J.I.R.D.
News Dept.
5.A.0. Personnel Dept.
ADVANCE COPIES SENT:
Musule
গড় paper.
عشر
9612
147
br. Wilkinson
Mr. Sezuel
CONFIDENTIAL
M
Aur.
ми
REUTER'S CORRESPONDENT IN PEK ING ↑ MR
..
No 31
| 15 FEB 1968
| Fe 1318
I think Ministers will wish to know that we have heard
from Reuters that Mr. Gray's girl friend in England has
received a cable from him during the last few days saying that
he has been receiving her letters and telegrams.
2. So far as we know, the last occasion on which Mr. Grey
was able to send any cable was at Christmas when cables were
received by his mother, his girl friend and by Routers. The
fact that he has now been allowed to send a further telegram
is mildly encouraging since it suggests that the Chinese wish
people to know that Kr. Grey is all right.
Grey is all right. (It seems unlikely that they are practising an
elaborate pisos of duplicity.)
This is a long way from allowing scosse to him or permitting
his release;
but it is at least something.
3. 7% are still awaiting a reply from the Chinese to the
suggestion, last made on 7 February, that Mr. Grey should be
exchanged for the senior New China News Agency correspondent
(or in the fim l instance both N.C.F.A. correspondents)
imprisoned in Hong Kong.
Copies to:
7
Mr. Haydon, Nowa Dept.
(James Murray) 13 February. 1968
P.w.ela.
See (141)
Mr. Bass, Consular Dept.
CONFIDENTIAL
Copy of letter uttered.
Pemaine.
ба
عالم چنان مستان ها در
With the compliments of
THE NEWS DEPARTMENT
1712
FOREIGN OFFICE, S,W.1. , 1968
1476-
ст
Diai te. Underhill,
141
RELIVED IN
ARCHIVES No.31)
54 York Street
Street, 15 FEB 1968 London W..
F13/8
10th February 1968
9 understand Mr. Ship
Are. Feb: 12.
is
but I though
at the moment, but I
away
Reuters would like to know that I've
had another cable from Tory guy in Peking. Apparently he has been
receiving both the cables and letters o've sent him recently.
He sends love to his mother,
to I relephoned her immediately.
ว
+
+
A
Have you
heard.
anything further!
Yours sincerely,
лис
Shirley M2 Juina
:
F2+318
CYPHER/CAT A
CONFIDENTIAL
INMEDIATE FOREIGN OFFICET PEKING
117 30 JANUARY, 1968
CONFIDENTIAL.
1
140
ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NUMBER 117 OF 30 JANUARY REPEATED FOR
INFORMATION TO HONG KONG.
F2 3/3 207
FD13/8 68
EGRAM NUMBER 132 TO C.0:
YOUR TELEGRAM NUMBER 84 AND HONG KONG
VISITS TO PRISONERS.
WE ARE ALSO ANXIOUS TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO HELP GREY. WE AGREE
THAT THE CHINESE HAVE MODIFIED THEIR DEMANDS TO SOME EXTENT, BUT IN
ESSENCE THEY ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE MADE EARLIER AND THUS OPEN TO THE SAME
OBJECTIONS, APART FROM THE MAJOR OBJECTION OF DISCRIMINATING IN FAVOUR
OF POLITICAL PRISONERS, WE ALSO SEE FORCE IN THE OBJECTIONS SET OUT IN
PARAGRAPH 2(A) AND (B) OF HONG KONG TELEGRAM NUMBER 132,
2.
F013/8/68
ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL MADE BY THE GOVERNOR HAS GONE SOME WAY TO MEETING
THE DIFFICULTY ABOUT THE PRISONERS REQUESTING VISITS. THOUGH WE
APPRECIATE THAT TO ACCEPT THE CHINESE DEMANDS IN FULL MIGHT SMOOTH THE
WAY TOWARDS GREY'S EVENTUAL RELEASE, WE CONSIDER, THAT IN THE LIGHT OF
THE ARGUMENTS ADVANCED, THE GOVERNOR SHOULD NOT BE ASKED TO GO FURTHER
AT THIS STAGE. WE WOULD THEREFORE BE GLAD IF YOU WOULD PUT HIS PROPOSAL
TO THE CHINESE ON THE CLEAR UNDERSTANDING THAT THERE WOULD BE IMMEDIATE
CONSULAR ACCESS TO GREY.
SOSPA
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRITON
F.0.
C.0.
F.E.D.
NFTS DEPT.
D.D. & P.1.3.D.
P.C.D.
CONSULAR DEPT.
J.I.R.D.
H.K.D.
NEWS CE T.
D.S.A.O. PERO SUEL
+
pa
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry No. C1318
DEPARTMENT
Far Eastern
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
PRIORITY MARKINGS
Confidential ftestricted-
mmediate
(Date)........
Despatched
Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should
reach addressce(s)
357
2058
---------------LIL
(140)
ITU HUTTuthou‒‒ TIL - ➖➖➖ ➖➖
D
EOYTHER
Unclassified-
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
En Clair Code
Cypher
ΟΥΓ
[Security classification]
[
Privacy marking -if any
1
FEL
CONFIDENTAL
-------
[Codeword-if any]
Addressed to
Draft Telegram to:-
telegram No...
PKKING
117-
And to
30
No.
(Date)
And to:-
Repeat to:-IMMEDIATE
HONG KONG
√182
X
Saving to:-
Humy
30 Dam.
Distribution:-
Departmental
Copies to:-
Peking
117 (date)
30 January
Tameditate
----¬----AR-ARY Heng
repeated for information to
repeated for information to .........Hong Kong [
Saving to....
Your telegram No. 84 and Hong Kong telegram
132 to 0.0: Visits to Prisoners.
We are also best anxious to do everything
possible to help Grey. We agree that the Chinese
have modified their demands to some extent, but
in essence they are similar to those made earlier
and thus open to the same objections. Apart from
the major objection of discriminating in favour of
political prisoners, we also see force in the
objections set out in paragraph 2(a) and (b) of
Hong Kong telegram No. 132.
2. The alternative proposal made by the Governor
has gone some way to meeting the difficulty about
the prisoners requesting visits. Though we
appreciate that to accept the Chinese demands in
full might amooth the way towards Grey's eventual
release, we consider, that in the light of the
/arguments
032717 E.W.& S., Lid. 164m 3/67.
arguments advanced, the Governor should not be
asked to go further at this stage. We would
therefore be glad if you would put his proposal
to the Chinese on the clear understanding that
there would be immediate consular access to Grey.
Ham
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
+
Kr. Jases Múrray
CONFIDETUAL
RECENBODE.
'ARCHIVES No.31
Enter
25 JAN 1008
co. Mr. Smart,
F21318
Mr. Anthony Grey
News Department.
Kr. Adam Hopkins of the Sunday Times called yesterday to discuss r.
Grey. He told me that his newspaper had been compiling information about
the case for some months and were likely to publish an article on it on
Sunday. He wished to courire certain details. After listening to Mr.
Hopkins' version of cventa it became clear that the Sunday Times had
found out roat of the story but had got the wrong end of the stick on
two main points:-
(*) They thought that H.K. Goverment (probably in the Foreign
Secretary's letter to the Chinese Foreign Minister sent on 13 August)
had offered to relax restrictions on Chinese officials in this country
in exchange for the release of Mr. Grey:
The Chinese had offered to exchange Vr. Grey for two New China New
Agency correspondents imprisoned in Hong Kong, but this had been
frustrated because the Hong-Kong Government had refused to release them.
On (a) I told Kr. Hopkins that the Foreign Secretary's letter had been
an attempt to put Sino/ritish relations back on a more normal basis:
this would include the departure from Chins of any British subjects who
wishes to leave. Special references had been made to the case of Kr.
Grey. On (b) I said that there was no foundation for the claim that the
Hong-Kong Government had obstructed an exchange. In fact there had been
no indication from the Chinese that they would be willing to strike such
a bargain. If there were, I had no doubt that an exchange could be
arranged though it would not, of course, be possible for the Hong Kong
Government to cancel the sentence passed on the two Chinese and merely
release them in Hong Kong. The probable answer would be deportation to
Chine in exchange for similar action by the Chinese with Mr. Grey. I
pointed out to Mr. Hopkins that making great play of the idea of an
exohange sight well have the effect of disposing the Chinese against it.
ky sufice therefore was that it should either not be mentioned or
touched on very lightly.
2. I understand that the Sunday Times have now been in touch with
Truters (who have spoken to us) and the latter think that the story will
be run. They will then put out a statement thansalves. We shall
therefore have to consider what comment will be required by News
Department. I attach a draft which will require clearance with the
Commonwealth Office. We should also consider whether Information
Research Department should be asked to publicise 'r, Grey's oase through
their media.
Jam Denson
میمون
6 January, 1968.
We have now leant from the Sunday Times that have reached agreement with
Reuters to run a story. No
they reference will however be made to the possibility of exchanging.
Mr. Grey for N.C.N.A. correspondents impris- oned in Hong Kong. I attach
draft replies to possible questions following the publication of the
Sunday Times articles, together with a draft telegram warning
Mr. Hopson
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
Mr. Hopson that the article sill appear We shall telegraph to Peking the
main points of the Sunday Times article and any answers by News
Department to
subsequent press enquiries. Ditis have bem
cleared with News Dype., C.B. now
and
Ити Оззіс.
Jim
Denon
5 Imany.
I have confetcheal the durft tel.
Bef
2. The burghing astig for News Duft. scaun sahifartag
But we get clear them with Mr Rolgens
Fanscrews.
MEJO
5 Jam.
Spoken to Mr. Rarights. Su
Telegram to Perenny.
:
pathe
ke
ра
!
CONT
Fc 1 3/8 w. (839)
W
Mr. Anthony Grey
News DepartmENT
In mwering questions about the Sunday Times article on Mr. Grey Ir.
Rodgers is anxious that you should emphasize the great complexity of the
problem. This is not just a question of securing the release of a
British subject irregularly detained in China - as were the British
pilots in /lgiors - but it is concerned with wider problems of
sina/British relations including the maintenance of our position in Hong
Kong. It is therefore a matt matter of delicate judgement as to what
actions will benafit Mr. Gray and how much publicity should be given to
them and to his case,
2. Er. Rodgers has asked that the Acting Head of News Department should
speak to the diplomatic correspondents of the main newspapers in parti-
cular the Times, the Daily Telegraph, the Guardian and the Daily Hirror
after the Sunday Times article has appeared.
3. I attach guidance for use in answer to Press questions. This has been
read over to Kr. Rodgers,
(J. 3. Denson)
January, 1968
+
parke
OKELZENTIAL
F2 1318 w
ре
be
Mr. Anthony Grey
1. Chronology
23 July, 1967:
18 August:
22 August:
21 November:
29 November:
Karly December:
27 Desember:
31 Desember:
Mr. Orey plssed under house arrest in Peking following the mentenging of
a N.C.R.A. sorrespondent in Hong Kong (Rauch Ping) to two years'
imprisonment for oncitement to rics.
Teleɔhone communication between Kr, Gray and persons in Paking,
ineluding the British Hission, eut off.
Burning of British Mission in Peking and imponition of stricter travel
restrictions on Chinese officials in London. Imposition of retaliatory
restrictions on British Mission in "sking.
Decision that travel restrictions in London should revert to position
before 22 August.
Decision by Chinese that restrictions in Zaking should revert to pre-22
November position,
belivery of parsel to Mr. Oray.
Reaters reosive cable from Xr. Grey in Peking reporting that he is in
good health.
Repert from Peking suggest that three weeks befer Gray's conlitions of
confinement have been improv in that he wus now living in two rocas, not
ans, and receiving better food,
II. Jnswers to usstiona
i have the Britian doyarsant. Jone
A (1); Repeated representations have been nude in Poking and in
London for information about socean to Er, Grey. To have been in touch
with neuters throughout. We have also been in touch with Er. Gray's
nether who has been seen by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary,
A:(2)↑ ɗe have also pointed out to the Chinese that visits are
allowed to the N.0.N.A. correspondents in prison in Hong Kong and asked
that similar facilities be given for visita to ir. Grey in Poxing.
bat prenosal
to the bissss Gover
Jovem sent
A (1): The Foreign Secretury sent a letter to the Chinese Forei gn
/Minister,
COMEI LENTIL
(2)
Minister, Chen Yi, on 30 August aimed at bringing book Bimo/British
relations to a more normal basis. It included the proposal that any
British subjects in Chins, diplomatie, official or others, should be
allowed to leave if they wished to do so in exchange for agreement to
the departure of any Chinese who wished to leave this country and
specifically motioned Kr. Gray,
azaiast Nez
A (1); Mr. Gray is being detained under house arrest in Paking in
retaliation for the imprisonment of 1.0,8,^, corres- pondents in Hong
Kong. He has not been charged with any crime. It is not possible to
detain #,C,N.A. correspondents in London if they have not committed an
offense. Under British law foreign aliens, shatever their nationality,
enjoy certain rights. H.D.N.A, ware however subjected to the saze
novesent restriction as other Chinese officialn after the burning of the
british Mission and arestill subject to the 35 more limit and to the
requirement for
Devernment visas You will recull two-montas of X.0.N.A. vare stepped by
the polies on their way to Tilbury on 8 Databer last,
A (2): We hope that 8 gmeral improvement in "ino-British role- tions
will facilitate Kr. Grey's release, As the setion taken against him was
in retaliation against sction taken in Hong Kong not in the United
Kingdom, it is by no meanS surtain that, for examyle, the expulsion of
8.C.N.A. from London would benefit Mr. Gray,
A.(3): Reuters is net an official British newesgenay, whereas the
N.O.K.A. is an official Chinesa/news "genky. In terms of retaliation
therefore the one cannot be equated exactly with the other. It should
incidentally be borne in mind that the F,C,K,A. sorres,onċenta in Hong
Kong were convicted for a criminal offende incitement to Fict. One,
feuch
p'ing, ie not the holder of a China Hainland passport,
CONER JONNIKAL
ORIG.on
~₤313 (200) FE+318.
SECRET
138) 2:
TOP COPY
CYPHER/CAT A
How Bee replay
INMEDIATE FOREIGN OFFICE
TO
PEKING
or Pees w
15.
TEINO 77
བ
SECRET.
19 JANUARY 1968 (F.E.D.)
ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NO.77 OF 19 JANUARY REPEATED FOR
INFORMATION TO HONG KONG.
199
I.P.T.
-
تمام
Frother adion on
SINO-BRITISH RELATIONS. Delegi reply lete gram
Деводі
ра
IN CONSIDERING GREY'S CASE WE HAVE ALSO HAD IN MIND WIDER QUESTIONS OF
SINO-BRITISH RELATIONS. UP TO NOW WE HAVE HOPED THAT AN IMPROVEMENT IN
HONG KONG TOGETHER WITH A WANING OF CULTURAL REVOLUTION EXTREMISM WOULD
LEAD TO A SLOW BUT STEADY IMPROVEMENT IN THE WHOLE SITUATION WHICH WOULD
ALSO BENEFIT YOUR MISSION AND OTHER BRITISH SUBJECTS. TO HELP THIS
PROCESS WE WOULD BE PREPARED TO MAKE SOME CONCESSIONS TO THE CHINESE ON
MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS, ENTRY VISAS ETC. WE DO NOT (REPEAT NOT) HOWEVER
THINK THAT GRADUAL NORMALISATION WILL BE ACHIEVED BY CONTINUAL
UNILATERAL CONCESS-
IONS.
2. NOR ARE WE CERTAIN THAT THE CHINESE PRICE FOR NORMALISATION WILL BE
AS HIGH AS YOU SUGGEST IN YOUR TELEGRAM NO.41. IT REMAINS OUR VIEW (C.0.
TELEGRAM TO HONG KONG NO.2579) THAT WE CAN EXPECT THE CHINESE AT SOME
POINT TO INDICATE THE SORT OF GESTURE THEY WOULD HOPE FOR IN RETURN FOR
DISMOUNTING THE CAMPAIGN IN HONG KONG. WE DOUBT VERY MUCH WHETHER
HSUEH'S FORMAL REITERATION LAST NOVEMBER (WHEN THERE WAS NO SIGN OF THE
COMMUNISTS 'DISMOUNTING' THE CONFRONTATION) OF THE FIVE DEMANDS,
INCLUDING THE RELEASE OF ALL PRISONERS (YOUR TELEGRAM NO.272) SHOULD BE
INTERPRETED AS THE MINIMUM CONCESSION THEY ARE SEEKING NOW. IF THIS
REALLY WERE THE CASE, IT WOULD BE TOO HIGH A PRICE TO PAY.
2.
WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL TO HAVE YOUR FURTHER VIEWS ON THIS
T
ALSO.
.
Su
SURE!
F.C.
DEFARTKENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.E.D.
to CWILSON
Caylet (o (120) 27.
(IRD)
F.C.D.
NEWS DEPT.
C.O.
HONG KONG DEPT.
DSAO
PERSONNEL DEPT.
SECRET
NNNNN
Oria, on Fe 1/3 194
Fe348
CYPHER/CAT Å
CONFIDENTIAL
INMEDIATE FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING
TELNO 76
19 JANUARY, 1968
(FED)
I
TOP COPY
137) 2...
CONFIDENTIAL.
See/138
per.
Peking 24li
pie
25%
ADDRESSED TO PEKING TEL NO 76 OF 19 JAN REPEATED FOR INFORMATION
TO HONG KONG
FROM P.U.S.
ン
YOUR TELEGRAMS NOS.42 AND 48
F213/8/128.
GREY.
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR ADVICE. BEFORE SUBMITTING TO MINISTERS WE
SHOULD LIKE TO RUN OVER THE OPTIONS AGAIN, YOUR VIEWS AS WE UNDER- STAND
THEM ARE AS FOLLOWS:-
(A) RESUMPTION OF MOVEMENT RESTRICTIONS ON N.C.N.A. IN LONDON WOULD NOT
HELP GREY AND MIGHT REBOUND ON YOUR STAFF.
(B) CLOSURE OF N.C.N.A. (OR THREATS TO DO SO) WOULD NOT HELP GREY EITHER
AS HIS CASE IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO HONG KONG, IT WOULD ON THE CONTRARY
REVERSE THE TREND TOWARDS REDUCTION OF TENSION, IT MIGHT RESULT IN KEY
MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF BEING DECLARED PERSONA NON GRATA AND IT WOULD
DEPRIVE US OF CHINESE HOSTAGES. (C) THE ONLY MEASURES AGAINST N.C.N.A.
IN LONDON SHOULD THEREFORE BE THE CONTINUED WITHHOLDING OF RESIDENCE
PERMITS OR POSSIBLY THEIR RENEWAL FOR A MONTH AT A TIME.
(D) THE KEY TO PROGRESS OVER GREY, AS WELL AS IN SINO-BRITISH RELATIONS
IN GENERAL IS A MAJOR GESTURE OF CLEMENCY IN HONG KONG (YOUR TELEGRAM
NO.41).
(E) IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES ANY PUBLICITY OR GUIDANCE WHICH HAD THE
EFFECT OF INCREASING PRESSURE FOR RETALIATORY MEASURES SHOULD BE
AVOIDED.
2.
WE AGREE WITH (A). WE SEE THE FORCE OF (B) (SUBJECT TO THE RESERVATIONS
BELOW) THOUGH WE ARE NOT (REPEAT NOT) SURE THAT THE RETENTION OF MEMBERS
OF N.C.N.A. AS HOSTAGES WOULD GREATLY INFLUENCE CHINESE CALCULATIONS. IF
HOWEVER WE ACCEPT YOUR REASONING IN (B) THAT THE CHINESE ARE NOT TO BE
MOVED BY THREATS TO CLOSE N.C.N.A.
تھا
CONFIDENTIAL
Cory sent (5 (148) 22%, Cowanson (TRD)
/IT
ل
J
CONFIDENTIAL
FOREIGN OFFICE TELEGRAM NO.76 TO PEKING
-2-
IT SURELY FOLLOWS THAT THEY WILL BE EVEN LESS CONCERNED BY THE IMPLIED
THREAT OF WITHHOLDING RENEWAL OF RESIDENCE PERMITS. SIN MOST OF THEIR
STAFF HAVE BEEN ON TIME-EXPIRED PERMITS FOR SOME MONTHS ALREADY, THERE
WOULD BE NO ADDITIONAL THREAT IN CONTINUING THIS SITUATION. IF WE NOW
GRANTED ANY OF THE PERMITS(EVEN FOR A PERIOD OF A MONTH AT A TIME), WE
WOULD IN FACT BE MAKING A CONCESSION RATHER THAN INCREASING PRESSURE.
3.
AS REGARDS (D) THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG HAS ALREADY EXPRESSED
RESERVATIONS ABOUT A MAJOR ACT OF CLEMENCY (HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO 50)
AND MADE SUGGESTIONS ABOUT A POSSIBLE STEP FORWARD ON EXCHANGES (HONG
KONG TELEGRAM NO.92 TO CO JUST RECEIVED). WE SHARE HIS DOUBTS ABOUT A
MAJOR ACT (SUCH AS THE RELEASE OF ALL PRISONERS) WHICH MIGHT AT THIS
STAGE MAKE THE COMMUNISTS BELIEVE THAT PRESSURE FOR A MACAO-TYPE
SITUATION COULD STILL BE EFFECTIVE.
IF A MAJOR CONCESSION IN HONG KONG IS RULED OUT AND, AS YOU HAVE AGREED,
PROGRESS IS ALSO IMPOSSIBLE ON PRISONER VISITS UNLESS THE CHINESE MAKE
ANOTHER MOVE AND, FURTHER, IF WE ACCEPT YOUR ARGUMENTS AGAINST
RETALIATION IN LONDON, WE CAN ONLY CONTINUE TO RESTRAIN PUBLICITY AND DO
NOTHING FURTHER IN THE HOPE THAT THE CHINESE WILL EVENTUALLY DECIDE
EITHER TO RELEASE GREY OR TO ACCEPT OUR TENTATIVE EXCHANGE OFFER. IT
WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN SUCH INACTIVITY IN THE FACE OF MOUNTING
PARLIAMENTARY OR PUBLIC PRESSURE (WHICH IS LIKELY TO GROW WHETHER WE
ENCOURAGE PUBLICITY OR NOT). TO SUGGEST IN A PARLIAMENTARY STATEMENT
(PARAGRAPH 4 OF YOUR TELEGRAM NO 48) THAT ACTION MIGHT BE TAKEN AGAINST
THE N.C.N.A. WOULD BE TO RISK EITHER BEING FORCED UNWILLINGLY INTO SUCH
ACTION IF THE CHINESE FAILED TO RESPOND OR BEING SHOWN UP AS QUOTE PAPER
TIGERS UNQUOTE 5. THE BEST HOPE STILL SEEMS TO BE TO WORK FOR AN
EXCHANGE OF N.C.N.A. PRISONERS IN HONG KONG FOR GREY. BUT WE NEED SOME
MEANS OF OVERCOMING CHINESE RELUCTANCE, WE ARE NOT (REPEAT NOT) ENTIRELY
CONVINCED THAT A THREAT TO CLOSE THE N.C.N.A. IN LONDON COULD NOT BE
USED, PERHAPS IN PRIVATE SO AS TO SAVE FACE. ONE POSSIBILITY WOULD BE TO
SUMMON THE CHINESE CHARGE HERE TO DISCUSS TIME-EXPIRED RESIDENCE PERMITS
FOR N.C.N.A. WE COULD SAY THAT NO ACTION HAD BEEN TAKEN AGAINST THOSE
CONCERNED BECAUSE WE HOPED THAT THE MATTER
/OF
CONFIDENTIAL
L
|
CONFIDENTIAL
FOREIGN OFFICE TELEGRAM NO.76 TO PEKING
-3-
OF GREY WOULD BE SETTLED QUICKLY. IF HOWEVER THE CHINESE WERE NOT
PREPARED TO DO THIS BY E.G. TAKING UP THE SUGGESTION OF AN EXCHANGE THEN
WE COULD NO LONGER CONTINUE TO GIVE SPECIAL TREATMENT TO N.C.N.A.
PERSONNEL IN THIS COUNTRY, AND THOSE WHOSE PERMITS HAD EXPIRED WOULD
HAVE TO LEAVE WITHIN A MONTH. IF HOWEVER THE CHINESE WERE PREPARED TO
RELEASE GREY THEN N.C.N.A. RESIDENCE PERMITS WOULD BE RENEWED AND THEY
WOULD BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE FUNCTIONING
NORMALLY.
6. SUCH ACTION WOULD OF COURSE REQUIRE PRIOR HOME OFFICE CONCURRENCE
WHICH WE CANNOT BE CERTAIN OF OBTAINING. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE, THOUGH BY
NO MEANS CERTAIN, THAT IF WE EXPELLED SOME MEMBERS OF N.C.N.A., KEY
MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF WOULD BE P.N.G. IN RETALIATION, EVEN THOUGH THIS
WOULD LEAD TO ACTION BY US AGAINST KEY MEMBERS OF THE CHINESE MISSION