CONFIDENTIAL.
ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NUMBER 162 OF 15 FEBRUARY REPEATED FOR
INFORMATION TO HONG KONG.
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT AND DRAFT ANSWER OF A PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION PUT
DOWN TODAY FOR WRITTEN ANSWER TOMORROW.
QUESTION: MR. BENN WHITAKER: TO ASK THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN
AFFAIRS, WHAT REPLY HE HAS RECEIVED FROM THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO HIS
EFFORTS TO SECURE THE RELEASE OF MR. ANTHONY GREY: WHAT REASONS HE HAS
BEEN GIVEN FOR HIS DETENTION: AND WHAT FURTHER ACTION HE WILL BE TAKING.
ANSWER: NO REPLY HAS YET BEEN RECEIVED FROM THE CHINESE TO THE NUMEROUS
REPRESENTATIONS MADE ABOUT MR. GREY. NOR HAVE I BEEN GIVEN ANY GOOD
REASONS FOR HIS DETENTION, THOUGH THE CHINESE SAID LAST YEAR THAT HE HAD
BEEN ARRESTED IN RETALIATION FOR THE ARREST AND IMPRISONMENT IN HONG
KONG OF A NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY JOURNALIST, HSUEH PING, I CONSIDER IT
TOTALLY INDEFENSIBLE TO HOLD AN INNOCENT MAN IN THIS WAY AS A POLITICAL
HOSTAGE AND
I CAN ASSURE THE HOUSE THAT I SHALL CONTINUE TO DO EVERYTHING
I CAN TO SECURE MR. GREY'S RELEASE.
SOSFA
FILES
F.0. F.E.D.
C.0.
NEWS DEPT.
J.K.DEPT.
CONFIDENTIAL
ke
Far Eastern.
Registry FC1313
No.
Top Secret. Secret
Confidential,
Restricted.
Open
Draft.
Telegram to:-
Peking.
No.....
(Date).
162
And to:-
1272.
EMERGENCY }.
IMMEDIATE
Should
• Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram-ghould reach addressee(s).
(Date)
EGYT
ROUTINE
with
without DEFERRED
Security classification"
if any
[Sec
[Codeword-if any)
Addressed to
telegram No...
ILI
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--
--
15/2
2038.
Confidential
Декад
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162.
------
::.
L
(dare) 15 February
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN.
Repeat to:-
repeated for information to
Hong kong
· ----NIL.. PP. III
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Parliamentary
Hongkong draft ansuser of a
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Nome &
NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
Acorn House, 314/320 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1 Telephone: 01-278 7916
IJO/G
Mr. D.I. Morphet,
Assistant Private Secretary,
Foreign Office,
Downing Street,
LONDON. S.W.1.
نے
FE Dep pro
wordmare briefing
with Cemme squ-
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and submin-through Mr.Rodgers
this office by 4.30pm.
to reach
$u., 19, Fes.
1
13th February 1968
RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES No.31
15 FEB 968
F013/13
on 20 Feb готв
Felpr
Dim
14/2
Dear Mr. Morphet,
Following on our telephone conversation and the suggestion that a
deputation from our Union might meet the Foreign Secretary at the
Foreign Office on Wednesday, 21st February, I write to say that our
deputation will probably be Mr. K.H. Holmes (Vice-President), who knows
Mr. Anthony Grey, Mr. Alan Lofts, a former President, and myself.
Yours sincerely,
H. J. Bradle
General Secretary.
General Secretary: H. J. Bradley
Deputy General Secretary: T. D. Lucy
28
34.19 Feb
Noted:
RESTRICTED
+
RECEIVED IN
> No.31 FEB 1908
FC13/13
29
Far Eastern Department
Mr. Anthony Grey
You will see from the attached papers that the Secretary of State has
now written to Mr. Bradley and is to receive a small deputation from the
Council of the National Union of Journalists to discuss Grey's case: and
also hear the views of the N.U.J. Council on the situation in Greece.
2. I have now arranged for the deputation to call at 5.30 p.m. on
Wednesday, 21 February and should be grateful if briefs could be
prepared by yourselves and Central Department to reach Private Office
not later than 5.30 p.m. Tuesday evening. 20 February. I imagine the
Secretary of State would wish Mr. Murray to attend when the deputation
calls; and a member of Central Department should be standing by.
c.c. Central Dept.
Dimorphet
(D. I. Morphet) 12 February, 1968
mi
have
Ho Turkey.
Misiab.
will relati
prepared
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Swee they may
well require
alleration before 20 February.
Mr Wilkinson
RESTRICTED
سيا
13.5
FC13/13
2 February, 1968.
20
Thank you for your letter of 25 January about
Mr. Anthony Grey, Reuters correspondent in Peking.
at least
I can indeed assure you that I am equally
concerned that Mr. Grey is still being kept under
house arrest, and am grateful for the restraint
which your Union and the International Federation
of Journalists have shown.
I shall be glad to receive a small deputation
from your Council when arranged. Perhaps you
fix a time.
this can be conveniently
am ashina
to ring you could ring my Secretary and
(GEORGE BROWN)
H.J. Bradley, Esq.,
National Union of Journalists,
Acorn House
314/320 Gray's Inn Road,
London, W.C.1.
20
Registry F213115
No.
F213/13
DRAFT Letter
To
H.J. Bradley, Esq.,
National Union of
Type 1 +
From
Secretary of State
Telephone No. & Ext.
Secret, Confidentul.
nclassified.
Stall in Confidence.
Journalista,
Acorn House,
314/320 Grey's Inn Road
Department
*
London, W.C.1.
SFET 1958
Thank you for your letter of 25 January
about Mr. Anthony Grey, Reuters correspondent
in Peking.
In his
I can assure you that we are equally
concerned that Mr. Grey is still being kept
and
under house arrest, am grateful for the
restraint which your Union and the Inter-
national Federation of Journalists have shown.
I, or one of my colleagues, would
certainly be willing to meet a delegation
from your Union to discuss this matter (and
to hear your views on Greece). My Private
Saorotary will get in touch with you.
Ishan be grad to
верижий брати дит
ressive d
Comine
When lan's
Perkges
can be conveniently avanger.
fou could ring my secretary
a time.
Dum
and fix
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
(9635) D4033274 300m 10/66 G.W.B.Lad. (p.143
1.2.
277
Samuel
CONFIDENTIAL
agent that a singestion for a chat (perhaps with
All my uncleation wed
for a shorter later, however, with to
Hire be
Private Secretary Secretary
Problem
RECEIVED
ARCHIVES NO.5!
Me) LTR 1.2.18
будь
1. FEB 1968 Sogs has written
F213/13
MR. ANTHONY GREY
✓ m.
Bradley Это
Mr. H. J. Bradley, General Secretary of the National
Flag A (26) Union of Journalists, has written to the Secretary of State
asking what is being done for Mr. Grey and whether the
Secretary of State will receive a small deputation from his
Union.
Recommendation
2. I recommend that the Secretary of State or another Minister should
agree to see the National Union of Journalists.
attach a draft letter.
Argument and Background
I
3. As we are likely to be engaged in the immediate future in delicate
discussions with the Chinese about our Mission in
Peking and other British subjects in China, it is particularly desirable
that unnecessary publicity about Mr. Grey's case should be avoided. So
far, the National Union of Journalists
and the International Federation of Journalists have exercised
admirable restraint in not publicising the case.
doubt due in part to the influence of Reuters.
This is no
The articles
which have appeared, such as that in the Sunday Times of
7 January, have been restrained and fairly sympathetic towards ug. I had
a long, frank and informal talk on 30 January with
Mr. Gerald Long, the General Manager of Reuters;
and, though
/understandably
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
2
understandably worried, he seemed satisfied that we have
been taking the right line and that for the present we
should continue to avoid publicity. I consider, however,
that it would be very useful for a Minister to see the
National Union of Journalists and to indicate that we are
reaching a very delicate stage in negotiations with the
Chinese in which hope for progress on Mr. Grey's case might
be seriously prejudiced if it were given wide publicity in
the British press.
June
Humay
(James Murray)
1 February, 1968
I have shortened the draft
le Her
accordance with Mr Rodgers' mante.
James Money
2 Feb.
CONFIDENTIAL
NATIONAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
Acorn House, 314/320 Gray's Inn Road, London WCI Telephone: 01-478 7916
2/G
The Rt. Hon. George Brown, MP,
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,
Foreign Office,
1
FE dept for chall uphy of sqs pleas je 2611
nu
√26
LONDON.
S.W.1,
Dear Mr. Foreign Secretary,
25th January 1968
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES NĚ.31
29 JAN 1968
चिऊ FC13/13
I am sorry to have to take up your time on yet another matter.
-
My Council is deeply concerned as I expect H.M. Government is about the
continued house arrest in Peking of our member Kr. Anthony Gray,
correspondent of Reuters.
-
Neither my Union nor the International Federation of Journaliste has
issued any public statement or protest about this case so far because we
appreciate the delicacy and difficulties of the situation and because we
have in a general way an idea of what has been done. However, there
comes a point at which forbearance is no longer beneficial.
My Council would be grateful if you could tell us what is being done or
may be done to secure Mr. Gray's release, and asks me to inquire if you
would be prepared to meet a small deputation which could also give our
views on the Greek situation.
11
Yours sincerely,
11. J. Bradly.
General Secretary.
General Secretary: H. J. Bradley Assistant General Secretary: T. D. Lucy
eater immediately
May 29,
F
I
·
+
Written AusHPEJ
22 JANUARY 1968
make a statement about what the visit achieved
Mr. ge Brown: As regards the purpose and achievements of my visit to
Washington, I have nothing to add to my reply on 17th January to the
hon. Mem- ber for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Eldon Griffiths).
I had
ny event to visit Washington. By going on my way back from Tokyo, ind of
making a separate journey from London a very substantial saving was
achieved.-[Vol. 756, c. 635.]
GREECE (BRITIŞII SUBJECTS)
72. Mr. Pavitt asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what
protection will be available from Her Majesty's Embassy and consulates
to British citizens taking holidays in Greece during 1968.
Mr. William Rodgers: Our Consuls in Greece will continue to extend
normal consular assistance and protection to British subjects.
TURKEY (BRITISH MOTOR VEHICLES)
76. Mr. Macdonald asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what
progress has been made in discussions with the Turkish Government for
relief from duty for British vehicles entering Turkey.
Mr. William Rodgers: Considerable progress has been made with a draft
agreement embodying reciprocal waivers of the relevant taxation. I hope
that the few remaining technical points of dif- ference will be resolved
shortly.
MR. ANTHONY GREY
74. Mr. A. Royle asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what
action he is now taking to obtain the release from house detention of
Mr. Anthony Grey. Reuter's correspondent in Peking; and if The will make
a statement.
Mr. William Rodgers: We are trying in number of ways to secure Mr.
Grey's release and, as a first step, consular access to him. Although
Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires has made numerous representa- tions to
the Chinese authorities, I regret
10 FI
Written Auswert
74
that none has so far proved successful. I can assure the House that we
remain ex- tremely concerned about the indefensible treatment of Mr.
Grey and will continue to do everything we can to help him.
ADEN
77. Mr. Ronald Bell asked the Secre- tary of State for Foreign Affairs
what inquiries he made as to the safeguarding in Aden of the six
principles which it is Her Majesty's Government's policy to maintain in
relation to Rhodesia before advising Her Majesty to relinquish her
sovereignty over the colony of Aden.
Mr. Goronwy Roberts: The situations in Rhodesia and Aden are not compar-
able. All the available evidence suggests that the Government of the
People's Republic of Southern Yemen had by its inception secured the
acceptance of a large majority of the population of the country
generally country generally including that of the former Colony of Aden.
In Rhodesia, on the other hand, there is a régime which illegally
purported to seize independence and which is supported mainly by a
racially distinct minority.
MINISTERIAL RESIDENCE. BRUSSELS (DOMESTIC STAFF)
79. Mr. Roebuck asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is
the weekly cost of domestic staff at the resi- dence in Brussels of the
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Mulley: The staff consists of a married couple, who live in the
house, Their wages are £25 a week. They are due to leave at the end of
January.
COUNCIL OF EUROPE (MINISTERIAL VISIT)
the
Mr. Eldon Griffiths asked Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he
will attend the next meeting of the Council of Europe.
Mr. George Brown: No. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary
will, as leader of the British Parliamentary Delegation, attend the
meeting this month of the Consultative Assembly of the
COL.
VOL.
pia.
22/1168
5-16w 757
MAT
31/
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RECOVED IN {ARCHIVES NË 31
24 JAN
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ite oster Grey file
this ive.
25 Jaw
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25
12
19
Mr. Wilkinso
Parliamentary office
CONFIDENTIAL
RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES No.31
25 JAN 08
23
F213/13
Flag C
Parliamentary Question by Kr. Royle
Mr. Royle asked two questions about Mr. Anthony Grey
just before the Christmas recess. During the recess he
also wrote at least one article about Mr. Grey in an East
Anglian newspaper, which was critical of so-called Foreign
Office "inactivity". This is the line he may take in
supplementaries.
2. The facts about Mr. Grey's detention were given in answer
to an earlier question by Mr. Royle on 20 December. Mr. Grey
is in fact being held in retaliation for the arrest and
sentencing in Hong Kong of two New China News Agency (N.C.N.A.)
reporters. Although neither reporter carried a Chinese
passport, the N.C.N.A. is the official Government News Agency
and its branch in Hong Kong is probably regarded by the
Chinese as having a quasi-governmental status. The Chinese
are therefore particularly sensitive about the treatment of
N.C.N.A. reporters.
3. We have tried in a number of ways either to secure access
to Mr. Grey or his release. None has so far been successful.
The most recent attempt was on 31 December when Sir Donald
Hopson, taking up an idea floated in the Secretary of State's
letter of 31 August last to Ch'en Yi, suggested to the Chinese
/that
CONFIDENTIAL
E
CONFIDENT TAL
- 2.
Flag ▲
that it might be possible to arrange an exchange between
Mr. Grey and the imprisoned N.C.N.A. reporters (Peking
telegram no. 1). The Chinese answer at the time was
unforthcoming (as we expected) and they have not so far
reverted to the idea.
4.
We are at present considering what further action might
be taken if the Chinese continue to make no response to the
idea of an exchange and there is no other improvement in the
treatment of Mr. Grey. A possible move would be to threaten
to close the N.C.N.A. Office in London and to expel expatriate
staff. This would require Home Office agreement which was
not given when the matter was raised last year.
Moreover,
ir Donald Hopson feels strongly that such pressure would be
ineffective and possibly dangerous. We are not entirely
convinced by Sir Donald's arguments and before submitting to
Ministers we are asking him to clarify them further. In the
meantime, the less we say about what specific measures we
might take on Mr. Grey's behalf the better. The draft answer
is therefore deliberately unforthcoming.
5. There has so far been little publicity in the British
press about Mr. Grey, largely because Reuters have been
strongly against it and have successfully discouraged
journalists from writing articles. One article did, however,
appear in the Sunday Times on 7 January in which there was a
strong indication that we might be thinking of trying to strike
a bargain with the Chinese, i.e. exchanging Mr. Grey for the
YN.C.N.A.
CONFIDENTIAL
Flag
CONFIDENTIAL
- 3-
N.C.N.A. reporters (Foreign Office telegram to Peking No. 31).
It is possible that Mr. Royle will ask a direct question
about an exchange in supplementaries. If he does, I think
we should restrict ourselves to giving an answer in very
general terms.
6.
I submit a draft reply and notes for supplementaries.
Am Denson
(J. B. Dedson) 18 January, 1966
Philkinson.
18 Jan.
ре
!
보래
29.
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F13/43