Ministers
possibut
to
consideration of whole cuestion of Grey aculon against N.C.N.A about
which we
shall be telegraphing you separa-ely. You will
wish to know however, that after consi !ering
arguments in your telegram No. 307, our inclination
was to follow suggestion in your paragraph 3 with
Chush to the additional proviso that we might renewed
residenvermit for periods of only one month at
a time.
зд
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RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
1 JAN 1908
FD13/8
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Confidential
SECRET
Hr. Wilkinson
RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES No.51
10 JAN 1968
FD13/8
Visits to Mr. Grey and Imprisoned N.C.N.A.
Reporters in Hong Kong
(bet
Problem
There are two inter-related problema.
(a) The requests of the New China News Agency (N.C.N.A.)
in Hong Kong for special New Year visits to two
of their imprisoned reporters, and for permission
to send in supplies of food and clothing to these
prisoners.
(b) The question of whether it would now be opportune
to suggest to the Chinese that some sort of
arrangerent should be made to exchange Mr. Grey
for the imprisoned N.C.N.A. reporters.
Recommendation
2.
I recommend that lir. Hopson should be instructed to
(a) tell the Chinese that special visits to the
N.C.N.A. reporters can only be granted on the
request of the prisoners themselves and to hint
that such a request would be granted if visits
are allowed to Mr. Grey; and
(b) at the same time to suggest to the Chinese, as
a personal idea, that some arrangement should
be made to swop the N.C.N.A. prisoners for
Mr. Grey.
SECRET
/Background
SECRET
- 2
[Flag A
13/2751 sla,
[Flag B] F013/8/53
[Flag C
F3 13/7/55
Background and Argument
3. There has been an exchange of telegrams between Peking
and Hong Kong following a request by the N.C.N.A. in Hong
Kong to make special New Year visits to N.C.N.A. reporters
who are now in prison for offences connected with Communist
tonfrontation" against the Hong Kong Government (Hong Kong
telegram no. 1908). The N.C.N.A. also said that they had
been asked by other Communist organisations to request on
their behalf arrangements to visit others in prison.
It was
said that those visiting the prisoners would bring winter
clothing and food.
4. The Governor of Hong Kong has pointed out that, according
to prison rules, special visite to prisoners can only be
allowed after a request by the prisoners themselves and has
made the valid point that wholesale "comfort missions" to Communist
prisoners would be used by the Communists for
propaganda purposes. He has also said that it would not be
possible without breaking the rules in favour of political
prisoners to allow food parcels to be sent in and that clothing
can only be provided for prisoners to use on their release
(Hong Kong telegram no. 1910).
5. The Governor has agreed that Mr. Hopson should approach
the Chinese and say that visits to the N.C.N.A. reporters
will be allowed and at the same time hint to the Chinese that
this will depend on visits being allowed to Mr. Grey in Peking,
although he is anxious that the two cases should not be linked
explicitly. His views are summarised in Hong Kong telegram
no. 1922. I agree with the general line he takes in this
/telegram.
SECRET
SECRET
- 3-
Flag D] FC 13/8/115
E
[Flag B] FD 13/8/52
telegram.
6. There is the further question of whether or not we
should suggest to the Chinese at this stage that Mr. Grey
should be swopped for the two N.C.N.A. reporters. Mr. Hopson
had earlier suggested that this could be done as a personal
suggestion by him (Peking telegram no. 375) and I agree that
this is probably the best method. The Governor agreed to
play his part in this if the Chinese played theirs (Hong
Kong telegram no. 1909). The arguments against raising visits
and an exchange at the same time are twofold.
(a) It would introduce a new and possibly complicating
factor into the issue of visits and may therefore
be objectionable to the Governor of Hong Kong, who
no doubt wishes to settle the question of the visits
at his end as soon as possible.
(b) It might be tactically better to have a new
proposal available if arrangements for visits
run into difficulties.
On the other hand there would, I think, be advantages in
planting the seed in the Chinese minds, without commitment,
in the first instance so that if they are geminely anxious
to disembarrass themselves of Mr. Grey they can begin con-
sidering the terms of a bargain rather than wasting time
cavilling over the details of visita, comforts and so on.
I am convinced that our only hope of eventually securing
Mr. Grey's release is by means of offering some quid pro quo
/of this
SECRET
SECRET
4
of this kind and see nothing to be lost by beginning the
attempt now.
7. I attach a draft telegram to Peking drafted in such
a way that before the instructions are acted upon, the
Governor of Hong Kong can, if he so desires, express
objection to the linking of visits and an exchange.
Commonwealth Office concur.
James Munneys.
(James Murray)
29 December, 1967
The
Copies to:
Private Secretary
Mr. Carter, C.0.
In t.
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your
4. A
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29/411.
absence I append the t. I.
It seem to me right:
M. James Jenay.
Dail
Th
SECRET
pa
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En Clair
CONFIDENTIAL
IMMEDIATE PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Telno. 19
6 January 1968
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
- 8 JAN 1968
FD 13/8
CONFIDENTIAL
Addressed to Hong Kong telegram No. 8 of 6 January Repeated for
information to Foreign Office,
Your telegram No. 7, [No. 23 to 0.0. Prison Visits]
I agree
NR.
Sir D. Hopson
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.O. F.E.D.
G.O. H.K. DEPT.
ADVANCE COPIES SENT
CONFIDENTIAL
р
pa.
63
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Peking tel. no 22.
We have now
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FD13/8 w√62
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comments from Hong kong (WEI no 50)
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CONFIDENTIAL
RECEIVED IN JARCHIVES No.31
B
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FED
PRIORITY
elno. 22
PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
- 8 JAN 1968
6 January 1968
CONFIDENTIAL
ᅲ
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 22 of 6 January Repeated for
information to Hong Kong.
I suggest serious consideration should be given to some substantial act
of clemency in respect of the prisoner in Hong Kong to coincide with
Chinese New Year (end of Jamary)
A similar idea was discussed in your telegram_2,047 to Hong Kong and
Hong Kong telegram 1,501 last October. The Governor's view at the time
was that it was too early to consider a substantial gesture and that
such a move at any time would have legal complications, but that
something might be done if situation becane and remained cala,
2.
I realise that there are still many problems, particularly for Hong Kong
in such a move. But now that three months have passed and Communist line
on Hong Kong has radically changed (see in particular Hong Kong latest
weekly suneemnents), as seen from here arguments in favour are strong:
3.
The move would not be giving way to local Communist preasure. It would
come from strength and in recognition of a Communist change of line. As
such, it should encourage moderation on Chinese side rather than
reverse,
(b) It would do something to de-fuse Communist propaganda. about
conditions in prisons
(c) It should assist position of British subject■ detained here and of
this [7 gp. omitted).
(6) FD 14/3
Form such a geature might take would nged careful study and Governor's
suggestion in his telegram No. 1503 of a board review may be necessary,
But I would suggest granting remission of sentences for those not
directly involved in violence particularly young prisoners and women. I
think too we should be ready to consider release in Hong Kong of
majority of those concerned, bearing in mind fact thất Communist line
has now changed and those released are unlikely to become threats to
order and security again.
4. I do not rule out possibility of deportation in certain CABOS. We
have had no alear indication whether Peking would accept deportees. Mr.
Hauch'" objections on 31 December (ny telegram No. 1) seem to relate
more to the size of quid pro quo than to principle of deportation, And
it may be that we c) should also try out the ones in your telegram No.
1069 to ne. But deportation (depending as it does on Chinese attitude)
is a more complex mansexre than pardon, And in any event now that
emphasis in Hong Kong is on study of Hao and "political struggle" risks
in release in Hong Kong would seen substantially reduced even in Jase of
some of the bigger fish in our net.
عما
CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL
PEKING FELEGRAM NO. 22 TO FOREIGN OFFICE
-2-
5.
I should be grateful for your and Governor's comments Whatever the size
of the gesture I think that the case for making one of some kind at the
end of this month is very strong and failure to make it would neglect a
good chance of encouraging political trend in the right direction.
Foreign Office pass Priority to Hong Kong No. 10.
[Repeated as requested]
Sir D. Hopson
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.0.
F.E.D.
J.I.P.G.D.
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REF. 159.
NEXI
REF.
Cypher/Cat A
ТОР COTT
CONFIDENTIAL
! RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES No.31
- 8 JAN 1968
PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Telegram No. 17
CONFIDENTIAL
FD13/8
5 January, 1968 1968 the Correor.
The fancti appear comment from Hk. Bu. 4 days.
It wait a
I
༣
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 17 of
5 January,
Repeated for information to Hong Kong.
My telegram No. 1; Prison Visits.
(sa)
61
Mr. Hsueh during my interview with him on
31 December stated that formal request for NCNA officials to visit their
prisoners in Hong Kong had been made months ago, and that he indirectly
repeated this formal request to me on 27 November., This (as I told Mr.
Hsueh) is not (repeat not) true. In view of possibility of publicity in
future it is desirable to get our own records straight.
2.
We have no papers prior to 22 August but according to our recollections
question developed as follows:
(a) during August Press Department of Chinese Minister for Foreign
Affairs in response to our repeated requests for Consular access to Grey
passed telephone message to us stating that access to Grey depended on
permission being given for NCNA to visit their prisoners in Hong Kong.
(b) Governor of Hong Kong informed us that this could be agreed and we
informed Press Department by telephone that if access were granted to
Grey access would also be granted to NCNA prisoners in Hong Kong. There
was no reaction in Peking.
(c) When I saw Mr. Hsueh on 20 August I complained that we had still not
repeat not) been granted access to Grey although had informed News
Department that permission could be granted for NCNA officials to visit
their prisoners in Hong Kong. Acting Vice Consul [grp. undec.i said
situation had changed, implying their offer was withdrawn.
(a) In September we were informed by Hong Kong that NCNA officials had
in fact visited Hsueh P'ing that month together with his wife. The News
Department were [? grp. omitted).
(e) When I raised the question of access to Grey again with Mr. Hsueh on
27 November, he said the News Department had told us that access
depended on the NCNA being granted access to their journalists. I told
him that access in Hong Kong had been granted and the News Department
had been so informed. Mr. Hsuch said he had not received a report on
this but would enquire. We sent
/a Note
CONFIDENTIAL
L
CONFIDENTIAL
Peking telegram No. 17 to Foreign Office
2
a Note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 29 NovemberT confirming
that Hsueh P'ing had been visited by the NCNA official together with his
wife on three occasions.
(f) On 31 December Mr. Hsueh made request for "form" visit to NONA and
other journalists in Hong Kong as well as for visits by other
organisations to other prisoners and for permission to take food and
clothing as already requested by the NCNA. He says that if the requests
put forward by the NCNA in Hong Kong are "fully satisfied" consideration
would be given to allow access to Grey.
3. Perhaps Hong Kong could confirm what previous requests they had
received from the NCNA for access since Hsueh P'ing was arrested (I have
just seen Hong Kong telegram No.7)......
It will be seen from the above that the Chinese have constantly shifted
their ground and raised their price for access to Grey.
Foreign Office pass Hong Kong No. 6.
Sir D. Hopson
[Repeated as requested]
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
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News Dept
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BSSSS
CONFIDENTIAL
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60
[FD13/8
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CONFIDENTIAL
INDEL HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (D.T.D.)
Telno 1928
UNCLASSIFIED
31 December, 1967
Addressed to Peking telegram No. 681 of 31 December,
Foreign Office. Repeated for information to:
Foreign Office telegram No.1141 to you [Prison Visits).
I confirm I have no objection to proposal in penultimate sentence of
paragraph 4 but would prefer idea in last sentence not to be raised too
quickly.
Sir D. Trench
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
C.0. H.K. Dept.
F.O. F.E. Dept.
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111URE
I
pekee
ре
enter /
MAY
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:
J
:
1
I
CONFIDENTIAL
RECEIVED IN
CC.
No. 21
Cyr/Cat A
Telno 1
IMMEDIATE PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
2-
1 January, 1968
FD13/8
CONFIDENTIAL
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 1 of 1 January. Repeated for
information to:
My telegram No. 387.
Hong Kong.
I was received by Mr. Hsuch Deputy Director of Western Europe at my
request on 31 December to discuss NCNA request for special visit to
their reporters in prison.
2.
I began by informing Mr. Hauch that according to Hong Kong prison rule
requests for special visits must come from prisoners themselves and that
if prisoners made such a request I thought it would probably be granted.
I suggest it was open to NCNA to write to prisoners to suggest this. I
went on to remind Mr. Esuch that NONA officials had already visited
Hauch P'ing and other journalists many times on a monthly basis and that
reporters could send and receive letters. I contrasted this with
treatment accorded to Grey whom we had not been allowed to visit despite
repeated requests. I pointed out that permission for special visits was
at discretion of prison authorities and we should be interested to see
whether similar treatment in way of monthly visits, a New Year visit and
facilities to send and receive letters would be granted to Grey.
3. In reply Mr. Hsueh said that NCNA had requested Hong Kong British
authorities to arrange formally for responsible officials of NCNA to
visit their correspondents in prison. NCNA had also been entrusted by
other responsible organisations such as trade unions, schools and social
organisations to request Hong Kong British authorities to allow
representatives to visit prisoners from their organisations. NCNA had
received no reply and Chinese Government was very dissatisfied. The
request had been made several months before so why did Hong Kong British
authorities suddenly raise issue of prisoners making requests
themselves? Chinese Government could absolutely not agree this.
4. Mr. Hauch went on to complain of inhuman treatment suffered by
prisoners such as being given insufficient food and being forced to
sleep on cement floors. On the question of Grey he said "If Hong Kong
British authorities satisfy requests put by NCNA the Chinese Government
might consider allowing British Office to send personnel to visit Grey".
5. Mr. Hsuch then said that according to reports in Hong Kong newspapers
two film actors Fu Ch'i and Shin-Hui and a Director of Phoenix Film
Company Jen Yi-Chih were to be deported to Taiwan. was impermissible.
This
6. I reminded Mr. Hsuch that NCHA officials had already visited Hauch
P'ing. We had reported this fact (gp. undec.] Chinese Government. I said
that as far as visits by representatives of other organisations were
concerned it was up to prisoners to make request themselves. I rejected
his complaints about prison conditions in Hong Kong which compare
favourably with accounts elsewhere.
Mr. Hsueh had said that NCNA had received no reply to their request. I
was now giving him the reply.
7. I went on to say I had no information on film actors and director
mentioned by Mr. Hsueh but if anyone went to Taiwan it would be of their
own free will. In the course of an exchange in which
CONFIDENTIAL
A
CONFIDENTIAL
Peking telegram No. 1 to Foreign Office
- 2
-
I reminded Mr. Hsuch once again of earlier NCNA visit he said official
had been accompanied by reporters' families so visits were unofficial,
8.
At the end of the interview I put forward on a personal basi proposal
that problem could be solved by an exchange of Grey and Hsueh P'ing, if
Chinese were prepared to accept Hsueh P'ing and to allow Grey to leave
the country. Mr. Hsueh said he would pass this proposal on to higher
authority but said that he personally considered that they were unlikely
to agree to it. So many people had been killed and arrested in Hong Kong
that it was impossible to settle problem so lightly.
9. This is first time Chinese have drawn this distinction between an
officially sponsored NCMA visit and unofficial visits allowed so far.
This may be a sort of ex post facto justification of their failure to
grant us access to Grey in turn for unofficial visits. I doubt if they
expect us to grant all their requests. Whether they proceed [gp. undec.]
requests for visits from prisoners themselves remains to be seen. The
whole operation looks more like a propaganda build-up for a campaign
about prisoners' conditions in Hong Kong which would also be used to
counter any publicity and may be initially about treatment of Grey.
There may also be an implied threat that if Chinese requests are not met
conditions of Grey's confinement may be made more severe "Please see my
immediately following telegram".
10. I should be grateful if Hong Kong would keep me closely informed by
immediate telegram of further developments.
Foreign Office pass Immediate Hong Kong No. 1.
Sir D. Hopson
[Repeated as requested].
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.O. F.E.D.
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