In Confidence
|
DRAFT Blue Minute
To:-
Mr. D. M. Day
Type 1 + palo 2 7/12
1+pales
From
Kr. James Kurray
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
FED
Hr. Anthony Grey
The 19/12
Mr. Palliser asks in his letter to you of 11
December about the dates which you gave him in your
letter of 10 December for the release of newspaper
workers in prison in Hong Kong.
2.
given
The dates in your letter allowed for the usual
remission of sentence for good behaviour.
3.
attach a draft letter to Mr. Palliser.
4. I sending a copy of this letter to Miss V. I.
An am
Sce
Ed (5084)
I
Reference...
87. WI DALAD
M= Wibmn b- 17/12.
paly 27112
I attach a draft latter from M=
at
Day in reply to MC Palliser's letter of 111)eade The letter referred to
in the Pallisers latter i Flag H. I also attach a covering blua minute
from Me Murray.
Molly
I win c. Omr.
18 DEC
10/12
148
Enteropa 2024/12
DAAN (81
10 Downing Street Whitehall
December 11, 1968
PRIME
MINISTER
F.E. Just-
SECRET
for draft reps, please.
1-) 11/12.
小
Dee Beach,
Враг
기
The Prime Minister has seen your letter to me of December 10 about Mr.
Anthony Grey.
He has asked whether the dates given in your letter apply before or
after allowing remission of sentences for good behaviour.
Чать ши
Milare
D.M. Day, Esq.,
Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
PUER/CAT A
PRIORITY DAR ES SALAAM
TELEGRAM NUMBER
1027
RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED
FEC 13C
TOP COMDB)
Jupall
FE
TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
28 DECEMBER 1569
86
ADDSD TO FCO TELNO. 1027 OF 28 DECEMBER REPEATED
FOR INFORMATION ROUTINE TO PEKING.
Врем Bennsy NI. Beu
MY
92
MỶ LETTER 31/6 OF 10 DECEMBER TO HEAD OF FAR EASTERN
DEPARTMENT ABOUT ANTHONY GREY.
PRESIDENT NYERERE'S (ENGLISH) PERSONAL ASSISTANT
HAS JUST INFORMED ME THAT THE CHAIRMAN OF REUTERS TELE-
CRAPHED THE TANZANIAN DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES
TO ASK WHETHER THE PRESIDENT WOULD MAKE REPRESENTATIONS TO
THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ON BEHALF OF GREY. HR. RIYAMI HAD
DEEN INSTRUCTED TO REPLY THAT ANY REQUEST FOR REPRESENTATIONS
SHOULD. BE INITIATED BY HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNNENT. PRESIDENT
NYERERE VOULD THEN CONSIDER THE REQUEST.
2. 1 AN SEEING THE PRESIDENT AT 0630 HOURS GMT 31 DECEMBER
FOR A GENERAL TALK ON ANGLO-TANZANIAN RELATIONS. ANYTHING
BY WAY OF A FORMAL REQUEST TO HIM TO CONSIDER MAKING REPRE-
SENTATIONS IN PEKING WOULD PROBABLY NOT GET MUCH FURTHER
THAN THE SIMILAR REGUEST ON REHALF OF THE PRITISH DIPLOMATIC
MISSION THERE IN JULY (DAR ES SALAAM TELEGRAM NO. 5955.
BỰT Í MIGHT USEFULLY APPEAL TO NYERERE'S DECLARED SENSE OF
JUSTICE AND HIMAN DIGNITY AND ASK HIM SIMPLY WHETHER,
/GIVEN
r
:
RESTRICTED
Î
+
RESTRICTED
-2-
GIVEN THE FRIENDLY RELATIONS RETVEEN THIS COUNTRY AND CHINA,
HE WOULD CONSIDER USING HIS GOOD OFFICES WITH THE CHINESE
TO TRY TO SECURE THE RELEASE' 'OF GREY, UNLESS YOU SEE OBJECTION
1 SHALL ACT ACCORDINGLY.
F C O PLEASE PASS ROUTINE TO PEKING.
MR. PHILLIPS
DEP ANTMENTAL DI STRIBUTION
F. LAST, D.
HONG KONG DEPT.
E. AFR. D.
CONSULAR DEPT.
NEWS DEPT.
[REFEATED AS REQUESTED]
KESTRICTED
!
FEC 13C/1
En Clair
IMMEDIATE
Teino 1026
DAR ES SALAAN TO FOREIGN AND COMMON, EALTH OFFICE
UNSSIFIED
28 December 1968
Pipary!
My
first thymediately following Priority telegram is for consideration
thing on Monday 30th.
Mr. Phillips
FILES
F. bast. D. E. Afr. D. kr. Moreton Er. Tebbit
ADVANCE COPIES SENT
BELLE
·
+
84
EF CLAIR
PRIORITY PEKING TO VOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
TELNO 1138 28 DECEMBER, 1968
ZCLASSIFIED
FE
Japany, F
ADDRESSED FCO TELEGRAM NO.1138 OF 28 DECEMBER REPEATED FOR INFORMATION
TO HONG KONG.
NCHA PEKING PUBLISHED A STATEMENT TODAY ON GREY CLAIMING THAT
CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAD NOT SHIFTED ITS GROUND IN RETAINING
GREY AFTER HSUEH P'ING'S RELEASE. STATEMENT POINTS OUT THAT
AFTER NCIA STATEMENT OF JULY 1967 THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
QUOTE WENT FROM BAD TO WORSE AND DETAINED MORE PATROITIC
JOURNALISTS IN SUCCESSION. UP TO NOW THIRTEEN OF THEM HAVE NOT BEEN
RELEASED,
SINCE THE HONG KONG BRITISH AUTHORITIES CONTINUE TO KEEP THE
THIRTEEN PATRIOTIC CHINESE JOURNALISTS IN JAIL, THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT
IS FULLY JUSTIFIED IN CONTINUING TO RESTRICT GREY'S FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT.
THIS IS THE CONSISTENT STAND OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
IN ITS ANTI-CHINA OUTCRY ON THE GREY QUESTION, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT
WILL ABSOLUTELY ACHIEVE NOTHING IN ITS EFFORTS TO
FORCE THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO CHANGE ITS JUST STAND, THIS
UNREASONABLE ACTION DOES NOT HELP TO SOLVE THE QUESTION BUT ONLY MAKES
IT MORE COMPLICATED UNQUOT. ENDS.
ER, CRADOCK
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
FAR EASTERN DET
HONG KONG DEPT
CONSULAR DEPT
NOTS DEPT
INFORMATION RESEARCH DEPT
EN CLAIR
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TO PEKING
TELNO 1003
JOSIFIED
27 DECEMBER 1968 (F)
(
2014 (83)
المكالماية برة
ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELNO 1003 OF 27 DECEMBER AND TO HONG KONG,
TIMES REPORTS TODAY THAT MRS GRAY RECEIVED FOLLOWING TELEGRAM
FROM HER SON ON 26 DECEMBER:
2. "CHRISTMAS WISHES TO YOU DEAR MUM TO BE HAPPY NOT WORRY.
RECENT MEDICAL SHOWED TO MY RELIEF NOTHING SERIOUS. BEING TREATED
FOR PHARYNGITIS OTHERWISE WELL, LOVE TO JUNE, GEOFF, ALF, WIN
EVERYBODY ESPECIALLY YOU - TONY.**
-
3. REPORT CONTINUES: "THE TELEGRAM IS THE FIRST COMMUNICATION
RECEIVED FROM MR GREY SINCE A LETTER, DATED NOVEMBER 5, ARRIVED
LAST WEEK.
STEWART
FILES
F. EAST. DET.
H.K.D.
NEWS DEPT.
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
I
Registry No. F
DEPARTMENT
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret
Secret
Confidential
Restricted
* Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should
reach addressee(s).
29/12
536
PRIORITY MARKINGS
(Date)......
Despatched
Flash Immediate Priority Routine
Unclassified. Le
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
272
[Sect
En Clair.
[
Ryphax
Draft Telegram to:-
PEKING No. 1003
K (Date) 27 Dic
And to:-
HONG KONG
Repeat to:-
Saving to:-
Distribution:-
Fitas
FED
H.K. Dept News Dept
Copies to:-
"Security classification"| -if any
Privacy marking ]
-if any 1.
[Codeword-if any].
-----
£fc.
Addressed to PEKING
telegram N..........
1003
(date) 27 Dec
And to
HONG KONG
repeated for information to
17/12
Saving to
AHAHHAA÷÷÷AAAAA+||--|||
following
Times reports today that us
Me Gray
from fier son on 26 December, pet follows:
2" Christmas wishes to
you
MB
Grey vechive]^ telegram
Dear mum to be happy
SHOWED
relist nothing
. my not worry. Recent medical showed to
serious. Being treated for pharyngit's otherwise well. Lave to June,
Geoff, Alf, Win, everybody expecially you-
Tony,"
3. Report Continues:
" The telegram is the first
swice a letter, communication received from Mt Grey 6 mee a
dated November 5, arrived last week.
"
مع
(FED) 27/12
[Resident itech has been informe?
Lag 27462]
-------
EN CLAIR
FEC
13C/1
TOP COPY
M3 &
NAIROBI TO FOREIGN AND COMMONERALTH OFFICE
NAIROBI TELNO. 4 TO PEKING
24 DECHIBER,1968.
UNCLASSIFIED
FE
Е
Прегр
ADDRESSED TO PCKING TELNO 4 OF 24 DECEMBER REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO
F.C.0.
ANTHONY GREY.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE DAILY EAST AFRICAN STANDARD
CARRIED EDITORIAL ON 23 DECEMBER HEADED THE PRISONER IN PEKING".
2 THE EDITORIAL ASKED READERS TO SPARE A THOUGHT FOR A HAN SPENDING
CHRISTMAS **ALORE AND IN CONDITIONS OF MENTAL AND PHYSICAL CRUELTY''. HE
HAD COMMITTED
NO CRIME AND WAS EMPLOYED BY AN AGENCY NOTED FOR
OBJECTIVITY,
3
THE REASON FOR THE ARREST WAS POLITICAL BLACKMAIL. MR.GREY WAS A HOSTAGE
FOR CHINESE COMMUNISTS DETAINED
IN HONG KONG. THE EDITORIAL COMPARED THE CIRCUMSTANCES
OF THE LATTERS DETENTION WITH THOSE OF MR.GREY.
4
MR.GREY'S FORTITUDE WOULD KEEP HIM IN THE THOUGHTS
THE BEHAVIOUR OF HIS
OF MILLIONS ROUND THE WORLD.
CAPTORS WAS 'EVIL'.
F.C.O. PASS TO PEKING BY APPROPRIATE MEANS.
MR. NORRIS
[REPHATED AS REQUESTED]
DEPARTMENTI DISTRIBUTION
FAR EASTER" DEPT.
HONG KONG DEPT.
CO:SULAR DEPT.
NOYS DEPT.
I.4.D.
GUIDANCE DEPT.
COMMIS. DEPT,
• IN
No 31
- 3 JAN 1903
FEC BC//
CONFIDENTIAL
NOTE FOR THE RECORD
Mr. Grey and Hong Kong
Private/Secretar
etar
Priva
ARS (2009)
M. Wicken/ 12
Fintis - Pia. 188914
The Secretary of State held an Office meeting on
13 December to discuss Mr. Grey with particular reference to
The Governor of Hong Kong was present.
the Hong Kong aspects.
DISCUSSION
2.
Discussion was on the basis of the recommendations in
Far Eastern Department's submission of 12 December and
Mr. Moreton's minute of the same date.
3. It was agreed that the time had come to do what we could
to restrain publicity about Mr. Grey in the belief that the
Chinese would be more likely to release him when not evidently
under pressure. It was noted that the co-operation of Reuters
would be essential in this; and Far Eastern Department
undertook to be in touch with Mr. Long, the General Manager.
It was also agreed that we should continue to resist
pressure to take retaliatory action against the Chinese in
this country. The Governor suggested however that it might
be worth looking into the possibility of some informal boycott
by the press of the activities of the New China News Agency.
(Far Eastern Department are looking into this.)
5.
Discussion centred
on the only point on which
there was any considerable difference of emphasis between the
Far Eastern Department and the Governor. Far Eastern
Department had pressed the advantages of releasing all the
CONFIDENTIAL
/ remaining
CONFIDENTIAL
remaining detainees and dismantling most of the remaining
emergency measures in the very near future. The Governor
said that the problem of detainees was kept under weekly
review in Hong Kong. He argued that the Hong Kong authorities
would have to continue their careful review of cases
individually, having regard to the special security factors
in each. These security factors were complex and could really
be judged only in Hong Kong. He thought moreover that the
authorities had to pace the releases rather carefully; the
release of a large batch in the imediate future would be
considered in Hong Kong as a sign of weakness and would be
exploited as such by the communists. He would certainly
continue to let out detainees as fast as he safely could.
He thought that with the exception of two or three (and possibly
not as many as that) they should all be out by June. The
emergency powers of detention would have to remain in force
until the last detainees were released. Mr. Stewart said
that there could be no question of pushing the Governor into
action which he judged might jeopardise security in Hong Kong.
Parliament had expressed interest in the powers of detention
without trial; but he thought that such criticism as there
was could be coped with. If criticism became sharper he
would review the matter.
6. Mr. Stewart was informed that officials had also discussed
fully with the Governor what was involved in the dismantling
of the emergency measures other than the power of detention.
The Governor stressed that this was a process which had gone on
/ since
- 2 -
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
since September 1967 and was under constant review.
The
powers which it was thought desirable to retain were being
incorporated in the permanent legislation as rapidly as the
necessary formalities could be concluded.
CONCLUSIONS
7. Thus the approach to the problem of Mr. Grey which
Mr. Stewart endorsed at the meeting was this.
a)
We should continue to resist pressure to take action
against Chinese in this country.
b)
c)
a)
e)
f)
Copies to:
We should not attempt to bargain with the Chinese about
Mr. Grey or to try to establish a firm price with them for
his release.
In particular we should not at present consider releasing
convicted prisoners in return for Hr. Grey's release.
We should continue a policy of firmness in Hong Kong while
taking what further steps we could to assist "de-escalation".
The Governor should continue to release detainees as fast
as he safely could.
We should now as far as possible restrain publicity about
Kr. Grey in the belief that the Chinese would be more
likely to release him when not evidently under pressure.
Private Secretary
Lord Shepherd
P.U.S.
Sir D. Greenhill
Sir A. Galsworthy Sir J. Johnston Mr. Moreton
Hong Kong Dept. News Dept. Consular Dept. Far Eastern Dept.
James
Reumay
(James Murray)
20 December, 1968.
3 -
CONFIDENTIAL
·
י
(23389
CONFIDENTIAL
기
CYPHER/CAT. A
PRIORITY FOR:SIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TO PEKING
TELNO. 1002
24 DECEMBER, 1968. (F)
CONFIDENTIAL.
ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NO 1902 OF 24 DECEMBER REPEATED FOR
INFORMATION TO HONG KONG.
YOUR TELEGRAM NO 1120. [GREY]
eeta
772
IN THE LIGHT OF DISCUSSIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, APPROVAL HAS
NOW BEEN GIVEN TO THE FOLLOWING APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM OF GREY, A. WE
SHOULD CONTINUE TO RESIST PRESSURE TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST CHINESE IN
THIS COUNTRY.
B. WE SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO BARGAIN WITH THE CHINESE ABOUT GREY, OR TRY
TO ESTABLISH A FIRM PRICE WITH THEM FOR HIS RELEASE. C. IN PARTICULAR WE
SHOULD NOT AT PRESENT CONSIDER RELEASING CONVICTED PRISONERS IN RETURN
FOR GREY'S RELEASE.
D. WE SHOULD CONTINUE A POLICY OF FIRMNESS IN HONG KONG WHILE TAKING
WHAT FURTHER STEPS WE CAN TO ASSIST QUOTE DE-ESCALATION
UNQUOTE.
E. THE GOVERNOR SHOULD CONTINUE TO RELEASE DETAINEES AS FAST AS HE
SAFELY CAN,
F. WE SHOULD NOW AS FAR AS POSSIBLE RESTRAIN PUBLICITY ABOUT MR GREY IN
THE BELIEF THAT THE CHINESE WOULD BE MORE LIKELY TO RELEASE HIM WHEN NOT
EVIDENTLY UNDER PRESSURE.
2. THIS APPROACH IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING TENTATIVE CONCLUSIONS ABOUT
CHINESE INTENTIONS.
A. THE PEKING AUTHORITIES ARE INDEED UPSET AND EMBARRASSED BY THE
PUBLICITY. BUT WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE ALREADY TAKEN A DECISION OF
PRINCIPLE TO RELEASE GREY, THEY ARE UNLIKELY TO DO SO FOR THE TIKE
DEING, LEST THIS APPEAR TOO DIRECT A CAPITULATION TO THE PRESSURES OF
PUBLICITY.
B. THE PEKING AUTHORITIES CONTINUE TO BE UNDER PRESSURE FROM THE LOCAL
COMMUNISTS TO OBTAIN A PRICE IN HONG KONG FOR GREY.
CORPIDENTIAL
/0. HET
CONFIDENTIAL
- 2
C. MET BY FIRMNESS ON OUR PART, THE PEKING AUTHORITIES, EMBARRASSED BY
THE CONSEQUENCES OF HOLDING ON TO GREY, MIGHT POSSIBLY BE
PREPARED TO OVERRIDE THE VIEWS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNISTS AND NOT ATTEMPT
TO OBTAIN A PRICE FOR HIS RELEASE.
D. THE CHINESE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, NOW APPARENTLY LESS INVOLVED
IN THE THROES OF THE CULTURAL REVOLUTION, MAY BE PREPARED TO LOOK AT
MATTERS IN A MORE PRAGMATIC WAY. THIS SHOULD INCREASE THE CHANCES OF AN
OBJECTIVE REVIEW OF THE EMBARRASSMENTS TO THE CHINESE OF THE CONTINUING
DETENTION OF GREY. ON THEY OTHER HAND WE ACCEPT THAT EVEN ON RATIONAL
ANALYSIS THEY MIGHT CONCLUDE THAT PRESSURES ARE BUILDING UP AGAINST US
AND THAT, BY HANGING ON TO GREY, THEY WILL IN THE LONG RUN OBTAIN A
SUBSTANTIVE CONCESSION IN HONG KONG, 3. WE RECOGNISE THAT THE DEGREE OF
PUBLICITY IS VERY MUCH BEYOND OUR
CONTROL. PARTICULARLY AFTER THE RELEASE OF THE CREW OF THE PUEBLO.
REUTERS, HOWEVER, FOR THE TIME BEING SHARE OUR VIEWS ON TACTICS AND
INTEND IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS TO KEEP THEIR OWN PUBLICITY IN FAIRLY
LOW KEY.
4. SEE ALSO MURRAY'S LETTER OF 17 DECEMBER.
STEWART
FCO DISTRIBUTION FAR EASTERN DEPT.
COMPINTTIAL
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry No.
DEPARTMENT
F
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
PRIORITY MARKINGS
JM
Top Ser
Confidential
Unclassified
24/12 Motors }
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
Priority
(Date)
Desparched
Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should
reach addressoc(s).
19500
और
HER
[Security_if any
Security classification