1103.
CONFIDENTIAL
Addressed to
telegram No......
P. TH-------------- 1.7.
LII
(date)
23 December
1/23
And to
ja
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
(Date) 22/12 repeated for information to TRANA KONG AND BAÐALEINDI.
And to:-
Saving to...
ין
Repeat to:- Hong Kon29616 Rawalpindi
Saving to:-
1683
Your telegram No. 358: Grey
Chat/Re
We have discussed the matter with Chipp of
yout repent of Reuters. He is concerned/tt/the impression [has-been
erested in Peking that Reuters are doing nothing to
help Grey in the interests of maintaining their
In his view "position" in China. He does not think that Reuters
have"position" to maintain,
"position" to maintain, as he doubts whether
they would be able to send any other correspondente
to Peking in the foreseeable future. Their present
concern is only for Grey. He/does not know what 22. further action they
could have taken apart from
I.P.D. agree
John Denson
22
Distribution:- Departmental
F.E.D.
News Dept.
J.I.P.G.D.
J.I.R.D.
case winery
publicising the case
up to now we have all con-
sidered the wrong course. The purpose of Reuters*
C.O. F.B. F.D. messages to the Chinese and attempted contacts
S.A.D.
Dependent
Territories Division
12- 22/12
H.K.D. News Dept.
through the Pakistanis and in Hong Kong was to keep
as many lines as possible open in order that the
Chinese would have every opportunity to respond if they
/30
+
·
so wished. We sympathise with Reuters and hope
you will do what you can to dispel
impression about their attitude.
[any
mistaken
We have assured
Chipp that if direct contact is made with Grey, you
will tell him that Reuters are in constant touch
with his mother and are doing all they can on his
behalf.
thas doubts about
2.
Chipp #still
edes publicity because
X
I bring he fears that it may cause the Chinese toeke
There and
possibliter
that
Yum
dust take into
to
charges against Grey or make our compliance with
P
Within
↓
demands over Hong Kong the price of is release. Chiffer!
some of his colleagues admits however that he is in minority within
how's facut puttuity PACITY Reuters and that, in any case,if no progress
is made
fand
after the New Year publicity will become inevit-
able. We accept this and have agreed that the
matter should be reviewed shortly before Parliament
reassembles on 17 January. In the meantime, we
shall continue to avoid publicity and would be glad
if you would do the same. If a statement is to
be made, we think there might be advantage in its
being
outside Peking, possibly by Reuters in London. But we shall wish to
consider
further with ym.
032717 E.W.6 5.,Ltd. 164m 3/67.
22.
XII.
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Cypher/Out &
CONFIDENTIAL
-^(r) COPY
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31 21 DEL 1967
P...
I
TC FOREIGN OFFICE
358
20 December 1967
Te.
CONFIDENTIAL
€1378
ressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 358 of 20 December, Repealed for
information to Hong Kong and Rawalpindi.
M. drey of Reuters has now been under house arrest for five months and
incommunicado for four. As you know, we succeeded recently in getting a
parcel and some correspondence delivered to him with agreement of the
Chinese authorities. In spite of repeated requests we have however not
yet succeeded in gaining access to him. Following on Mr. Hsueh's
statement on 27 November that access to him depended on access by NCNA
to their imprisoned correspondents in Hong Kong we sent Note to Ministry
of Foreign Affairs confirming that access in Hong Kong was being granted
on a regular basis. We have recently addressed further Notes to Ministry
of Foreign Affairs requesting facilities for delivering a Christmas
parcel to Grey and also asking for a special visit at time of Christmas.
2. If these requests are not granted then I think the time has come to
give fullest treatment in the Press to Grey's sit- uation. I would
propose to wait until after the New Year (if Chinese are going to make
any concessions they might prefer to make them at the New Year rather
than at Christmas) and then, if Chinese have not yet granted both
facilities a parcel and acceso to make a full statement on the record to
Wester Correspondents here who are anxious to co-operate. It should be
possible to avoid publicity being extended to our own sit- uation which
we wish to avoid at present.
3. You may think it necessary to consult Reuter's about this. If so I
hope you will be able to persuade them that the time has now come to put
some pressure on the Chinese who would certainly find such publicity
embarrassing. It looks as if Pakistani ploy has fallen through. Their
Ambassador tells me that he has heard nothing more from his Government
who have not informed him about Mrs. Grey's letter to High Commissioner
in London. He is not therefore proposing to do anything at present
though he thinks something may be said to the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires
in Rawalpindi. I doubt this and in any case do not
think it could do any good.
4. I hope therefore you will agree and will if necessary be able to
persuade Reuter's to action being taken as I have suggested above.
/There is
wish & recad the wilt A lectays weely
CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL
PEKING TELEGRAM NO. 358 TO FOREIGN OFFICE
2
There is already considerable surprise (to put it at its lowest) among
both Diplomats and Press hure that nothing is apparently being done to
help Grey. Reuter's in part- icular are being criticised for trying to
maintain their "position" in China at expense of Grey. In my view the
time has come in this case to put on pressure. telegraph your comments
before New Year.
Please
Foreign Office pass Hong Kong, 185, kawalpindi M129
Mr. Hopson.
[Repeated as requested]!
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.O.
F.E.D.
D.D. & P.V.3.D.
News Dept. J.1.F.G.D.
J.1.R.D.
C.0.
F.E. & P.D.
!
DDDDD
S.A.D.
H.K.D.
wews Dept.
CONFIDENTIA].
!
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(PC 13/8)
آب
D: =D.
A. C.
12/12
(110)
FOREIGN OFFICE, 3.W.1.
12 December, 1967.
F213/8/10
Although our Mission in Peking have not yet managed 104)to make direct
contact with Tony, there has at least been
one encouraging piece of news which I think you would like to hear.
Donald Hopson, our Chargé d'affaires, has just sent a telegram to say
that they managed to get Chinese agreement to send a parcel to Tony
containing a few things such as whisky, cigars and personal letters, and
that the Chinese subsequently confirmed that the parcel and letters had
been delivered to Tony. During the course of the discussion about
sending this parcsi it became fairly obvious that Tony is still in his
own house and attended by his Chinese servants. Donald Hopson has said
that they are preparing another parcel for Christmas if there has still
been no progress in all the other attempts to get direct access.
Even though this is a comparatively mall piece of progress, I think it
is encouraging and shows that things may be moving in the right
direction.
ре
pake
kra. Grey,
The Theel Inn,
Seone,
Perth.
(James Murray)
Par Eastern Department
*1378.
From the Parliamentary
Under-Secretary
5 December, 1967.
When we met on 19 October I told you that we would continue to do
everything possible to gain access to your son in Peking and to secure
his release.
We have kept up our efforts, but unfortunately so far without success.
But I thought you would like to know that when our Chargé d'Affaires,
Mr. Hopson, was summoned to the Chinese Ministry for Foreign Affairs
recently he again raised the question of access to your son. He was told
that this had not been possible because permission had been refused for
visits to members of the New China News Agency under detention in Hong
Kong. In fact, such visits have been allowed; but it is possible that
the Chinese in Peking were not aware of it. Mr. Hopson now has details
of all the visits and will pass them on to the Chinese with a further
request for access to your son.
In the meantime we were glad to learn that you had written to the
Pakistan High Commissioner in London asking that the Pakistan Government
should intervene with the Chinese. We very much hope that this, together
with what we can do, will soon bear fruit.
We shall of course let you know as soon as there is any news, and you
may rely on us to keep on doing everything we can.
Mrs. Grey
The theel Inn,
SCONE.
PERTH.
p.a.
William Rodgers
[
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
No.
Registry FZ38 DRAFT
letter
Top Secret. Secret.
Confidential.
Restricted.
Unclassified.
Staff in Confidence.
To:-
Mrs.
Grey,
The Wheel Inn,
Scone, Perth.
Type 1 +
From Mr. W. Rodgers
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
The mutual relax- ation will lead s a better atmosphere
we between us and the Chimere and that thes many helps in to get I'm
relieved
your
K
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amount and after
cmondtadin with Mas de la Monte
امه
When we met on 19 October I told you
that we would continue to do everything
possible to gain access to your son in Peking
and to secure his release.
We have kept up our efforts, but
unfortunately so far without success.
There
has however been a recent development which
leads us to hope that we may make some
progress. Following the decision to lift
the travel restrictions on members of the
Chinese Mission in London, the Chinese have
similarly relaxed restrictions on members of
the British Mission in Peking, and We hope
that/it-may-20
to leave Chink
be possible for some of them -
When our Chargé d'Affaires,
Mr. Hopson, was summoned to the Chinese
Ministry for Foreign Affairs recently to-
Learn of the Chinese decision, he again raised
the question of access to your son. He was
told that this had not been possible because
permission had been refused for visits to
members of the New China News Agency under
detention in Hong Kong. In fact, such visits
have been allowed; but it is possible that
the Chinese in Peking were not aware of it.
Mr. Hopson
(8635) D4.033274 300m 10/66 0.W.B.146. Gp.86)
07
Mr. Hopson now has details of all the visits
and will pass them on to the Chinese with a
further request for access to your son.
cannot of course forecast what the
Chinese attitude will be, but now that
relations have improved a little we should
be in a better position to tackle the Chinese
on your son's behalf. In the meantime we were
glad to learn that you had written to the
Pakistan High Commissioner in London asking
that the Pakistan Government should inter-
vene with the Chinese. We very much hope
that this, together with what we can do,
will soon bear fruit, and that we shall at
leset-be able
eon in Peking-
with your"
We shall of course let you know as
soon as there is any news and you may rely
on us to keep up the pressure
doing
everything
we can.
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
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RCHIVE NOS CONFIDENTIAL = &DEL 1987
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Kr. de la Kare
Kr. Samel
Jes
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108
to move as to NCN bittaut
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dospit ht Me Hopson
MR. ANTHONY GREY
What
mm
(Fohins 100)
I submit a draft telegram reporting Mr. Rodgers' talk
yesterday with Mr. Underhill, the Managing Editor of Reuters,
% of and a draft letter to Mrs. Grey, as requested.
Reconnant b Rocaftful seat 4.
2. Since Mr. Underhill's call, we have learned that the
Office of the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires have been enquiring
about the renewal of residence permits of five members of the
New China News Agency (N.C.N.A.) in London. As you will recall,
we have deliberately delayed renewing residence permits until
some progress was made over the removal of restrictions on
our Mission in Peking . In the interests of smoothing the way
in Peking, we should not, I think, be too negative in our
response. On the other hand, it might be possible to secure
some amelioration in Mr. Grey's treatment if we indicate that
the position of N.C.N.A. in London is linked with the treat-
ment of Mr. Grey. I therefore suggest the idea be put to
Mr. Hopson in the first instance.
A draft telegram is attached.
ひ
Janne Umney.
Copy to: Mr. Whyte, News Department.
(James Murray)
30 November, 1967
CONFIDENTIAL
draft
letter
I have somewhat amended the to Mas Grey, particularly the parage about
The relaxation of restrictions., I do not think that it would make her
feel any happies to be told that we hope to get our own people out of
selling soon, her son is still
held.
ipite
जि
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af. de laluan
1/12.
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де
107
(Folins)
-Plag
(folio 98)
-Flag-B
Mr. SamueX
CONFIDENTIAL
MR. ANTHONY GREY
[ARCHIVE> No.31
-DEC 1967
*C13/5
aita.
Further to my submission of 24 November, Mr. Rodgers
should be aware at his meeting with Mr. Underhill tomorrow
of the development reported in Hong Kong telegram No. 1775
(attached). A meeting had been arranged between Reuters
and the Bank of China in Hong Kong to discuss Mr. Grey.
This was called off on 25 November, apparently because of a
judgment in the Hong Kong Supreme Court against the Communist
newspapers, Wen Wei Pao and Ta Kung Pao, charged with libelling
a Government servant.
2. There is a further new development (Peking telegram No. 273).
The Chinese are reported to have told Mr. Hopson that access
could not be granted to Mr. Grey because similar access had
not been granted to N.C.N.A. prisoners in Hong Kong. At
Mr. Hopson's request the Governor has sent details of visits
made to N.C.N.A. prisoners. Mr. Hopson will now presumably
approach the Chinese again and ask for access. His chances
of obtaining it have undoubtedly been lessened by the judgment
against the Communist newspapers, but we must wait and see
what happens.
Jam Denson
(J. B. Denson) 28 November, 1967
CONFIDENTIAL
17.44.
Mr. de la Mare
Kare
10 20 24
Kr. Samuel
CONFIDENTIAL
Mr. Anthony Grey
RE
ARL
الاسد ناکام
FC 13/8.
106
(Folio 93)
Plag
Problem
Mr. Rodgers Was asked, with reference to Hong Kong
telegram No. 1747, what is the present position about Mr. Grey.
Recently Reuters have taken various initiatives with the
Pakistanis and with the Chinese in Hong Kong about which they
have not kept us properly informed. It is important that we
keep in step in the interests of Mr. Grey himself. It is
therefore desirable to discuss the position again with Reuters.
Recommendation
2. I recommend that Mr. Rodgers should ask Mr. Stewart
Underhill, the Managing Editor of Reuters, to call (the
Managing Director is out of the country) and raise the
following points:
(a) The precise nature of the various initiatives
which Reuters have taken and how they wish to
proceed;
(b) Future action if these prove unsuccessful;
(c) The question of publicity now and in the future;
(d) The desirability of the Foreign Office being
kept closely and constantly informed of what
Reuters are doing on Mr. Grey's behalf.
/Argument
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
-2-
Argument and Background
3. You will recall that Mr. Gray was placed under house
arrest on 21 July in retaliation for the arrest and imprison-
ment of an N.C.N.A. correspondent in Hong Kong. On 19 August
all communication with him was cut off and we have had no
contact with him since then. No charges have been preferred
against Mr. Grey, although we know that his Chinese chauffeur has been
accused at a public meeting of working for a foreign "spy". This could
mean either that the Chinese are preparing a suitable dossier against
Mr. Grey with the intention of putting him on trial, or that they are
preparing a case to justify his eventual expulsion. So far as we know
Mr. Grey
himself remains unharmed. He is still in his own house and
He has,
however, now been incommunicado for over three months and such
isolation must certainly be having a serious effect on his
Borale.
has at least one domestic servant to look after him.
4. Our Mission in Peking have made repeated attempts to gain
We access to Mr. Grey. These have all proved unsuccessful. have also
tried to link the question of visits. to Mr. Grey
with similar visits to the N.C.N.A. correspondent in Hong Kong. The
Chinese initially showed some interest in this but later dropped the
idea. In fact we have very little bargaining room on this point since
under Hong Kong Government regulations all prisoners are allowed a
certain minimum of visitors and the Hong Kong Government are
understandably not anxious to dis-
criminate against one particular prisoner.
CONFIDENTIAL
15.
CONFIDENTIAL
3-
Ela
Folio (5)
5. Mr. Hopson reported in Peking telegram No. 255 that
his Pakistan colleague, following an approach by Reuters to
the Pakistan Government, had been authorised to intercede
with the Chinese about Mr. Grey on humanitarian grounds.
The Pakistan Ambassador thought that this could best be done
informally and on behalf of Mrs. Grey. We were asked to pas8
this on to Reuters. It turned out on investigation that the
idea had been put to the Pakistanis by Mr. Chipp of Reuters
who had made a special visit to Pakistan for the purpose.
He then went on to Hong Kong where he has been in touch with
the New China News Agency and the Bank of China. The latter
have apparently been authorised to talk to him (Hong Kong
telegram No. 1755).
6. We were unaware of these initiatives by Reuters until
we were informed by Peking and Hong Kong. Mr. Hopson has
Faili Shiled Complained, justifiably, that he was not kept in the
picture
(Peking telegram No. 266) and asked that Mrs. Grey now be
invited to write to the Pakistan High Commissioner in London.
We have been in touch with Reuters and gained the impression
that they themselves were not too clear about what Mr. Chipp
was up to. At one stage it was thought that the Managing
Director, Mr. Gerald Long, would visit Hong Kong but he has
apparently decided not to do so. There is no harm in having
various lines to the Chinese about Mr. Grey, but it is important
that we should know precisely what is going on. Reuters fully
accept this and have indicated that they would welcome an
/invitation
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
4
Fomilos)
invitation to Mr. Underhill, who is temporarily in charge
of the office, to call on Mr. Rodgers. He is available at
any time in the week beginning 27 November.