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CONSULAR DEPT.
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Registry No.
DEPARTMENT
FE2134/1
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION PRIORITY MARKINGS
Top Segret
Confidential
Prip
Unclefethed
(Date)....
⚫ Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should
Despatched
reach addressce{s).
it
1955
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L
141
LJJJJ
CYPHER
T
CONFIDENTIAL .
PRIVACY MARKING
'Security classification"
In Confidence
En Clair. Code
[
Privacy marking -if any
]
Cypher
PEKING
Draft Telegram to:-
telegram No............
No.
Paky 446
And to
(Date)
[Codeword-if any].
Addressed to
976 (date)
9/12 repeated for information to
9/12
HONG KONG (IMMEDIATE).
And to:-
Repeat to:
Hory
Saving to:-
Distribution:
Se fortaunted
FED H.K.D
News beft.
Copies to:-
Saving to
Your tel No 1094
[of 9 dee ]: GREY.
We should prefer to delay any
announcement about this interview until
the Farigar Affairs debate an
D Ph
12 Decembe
Has the fact of the interview become puble Lawledge in Peking?
Jee.
9/12
17459|12-2
111
.
1
سلا
31/5
CONFIDENTIAL
RÉCEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
Paluss 12/12
10 DEC 1968
1. Musi Sud PECs 9/12.
2. Pho
3. Far Easton Dept.
BRITISH EMBASSY,
RANGOON.
6 Docenter, 1968.
t
Dean Keith,
FEC136/1
You will, no doubt, be aware of 7.0.0. Guidance Telegram No. 295 of 26
November, secking maximum puòlicity in the foreign press for the case of
Tony Grey, the Reuters correspondent held in Peling
2.
Given the delicacy of Sino/Burmese relations, I considered it useless to
propose independent publicity by the Burnesc, although I did prepare a
Bout de Pavier mi, had I as originally planned, called on Colonel Tin
Tun, I would have handed it to him for use at his discretion..
3. In the event, I have not been in contact with the Ministry or
Information on other business and nave not stimulated their interest in
the case. However, I enclose cuttings from the Working People's Daily
and The Guardian which appeared on 4 and 5 December, which show that
they are quoting the consents of others received via Reuters. I think
this is as much so we can expect in the circumstances hart. 30 fur
nothin, ims appeared in the Burmese Lunguzeo capers, but we are keeping
our eyes open anu will let you know if anything comes to light.
تنا
болм
Reten
(A. 3. P. Smart) Head of Chancery
inylton Jons, Nade y
-
south-East Alie Department,
200
E
1
F
GUARDIAN
Grey described as "prisoner of conscience"
LONDON, Dec. 4-Amne:ly | International. the group that works on behalf
of political prisoners, has described Reuters Peking correspondent
Anthony Grey as a "prisoner of consci-
2009
Mr. Grey has been confined ! to his house in Peking since July last year
as a reprisal for the jailing of Chinese journalists in Hong Kong.
Aa Amnesty International pokesman høre said its branches in Solna,
Sweden, and is The Hague had taken up the case of Mr. Grey. They would
pres for his release by means of letters to the authorities and general
publicity.
Amnesty has about 1,600 "prisoners of conscience" under option at the
moment.
The spokesman also said that Amnesty
headquarters here would be making moves to sek Mr. Grey's release.
Yesterday, the Foreign Office said Mr. Percy Cradock, British Charge
d'Affaires in Peking. ¦ had made a number of attempts | to see the
Chinese authorities about Mr. Grey but there had been no positive
response so far. la Parliament, Prime Minis for Harold Wilson was asked
whether he would
put Mr. Grey's detention on the agenda for the Commonwealth prime
minictory' conference Dext month.
He replied: "It is not customary to make public the agenda for the
Commonwealth prime ministers' moding but | thall be discussing with my
Commonwealth colleagues inter- national problems including relations
with China and Bri- tish subjects in detention in China will notutally
arise this context.
"Mr. Grey's detention is to- tally unjustified.and we shall continue to
do everything possi- ble to secure his "release." NAB/Router.
T
5.12.1968
J
1
||
GUARD TAN
Chou refuses to
accept FIJ cable
BRUSSELS, Dec. 3-Chinese Premier Choo B-lai has refus ed to accept a
telegram from the International Journalists' Federation (FJ) urging the
re- lease of British correspondent Anthony Grey, under house arrest in
Peking, it was nounced here Monday.
А-
The Belgina Post Office infor- med the FU, whose headquar- ters in is
Brussels, that a message from Peking said the telegram, sent on Friday,
had been refused by the addresses. -NAB; Reuter.
4.12.68
I
Fate of European detenus in China
LONDON,
December 3-The Guardian newspaper said today that the miserable
situation of Reuters cor. respondent Anthony Grey continues to cause
justifiable outrage but other European Retained in China may ba worse
off.
The newspaper, in an editorial mid: "Mr Grey's miserable situation in
Peking, where he has been under house arrest since July last year, con-
tinues to cause a justifiable sense of outrage in this country,
"But what of the other Britons who have disappeared in China (not to
mention a number of other Western Europeans from different countries)?
The sad fact is that more protest is made about Mr Grey, not because his
position is worse, but because we at least know what is happening to
him.
"The others may indeed be worso off. Mr Gray is given consular access,
if only once or twice a year. To that extent there is some minimal
restraint over the Chinese, even though his treatment is deplorable
enough
"With the others there is no cop- sular necess. Some of them have
disappened without trace and their relatives and family have no .ides
where they aro."
The Guardian's editorial referred to Mr Eric Gordon, a British
journalist, who has not been heard of for 13 months after being detained
by the Chinese authorities, Inquiries by his family and the British
Foreign Office have recrived no reply,
The Guardian said it seemed unlike. ly that quiet diplomacy would now
help those people.-NAB{Reuter
4.12.1968
Cyphe/Cat A
CONFIDENTIAL
TOP COPY M
So
1 RECEIVED IN
IMELIATE PEKING TO FOREIGN AND COLLONTALTH OFFION "
أكراد
Ino. 1094
CONFIDENTIAL
9 December, 1968
UDEC 1968
pales
11/12
FECITY
Jepeated
Addregged to FCO tele:rem ..o. 1094 of 9 December. for information to
Hong Kong.
My immediately preceding telegrams.
By local standards this was a mild session.
Yuan was defensive
in manner and avoided usual blood-curdling stories about
ong Kong prisoners. He was obviously embarrassed and upset by publicity
campaign, repeatedly saying this was wicked distortion and would not
help a solution.
He was also anxious to
get over the point that Chinese would look after Grey's health. He
refused to be drawn however into giving any explanation of Grey's
continued detention or suggesting a price. The most
2.
I got was a reference to further arrests after detention of Grey. ちゅ
You may wish to publicise fact of interview and protest. In view of
Chinese sensitivity I suggest reference to my heving etressed concern
for Grey's health and demanded full medicel treatment and to Chinese
statement that Grey's conditions were "lenient".
FCO poss Immediate Hong Kong.
Mr. Cradock.
VILES
Far Eastern wept.
Hong Kong Dept.
Consular Dept.
Repeated as requested/
Information research Dept.
Research ept.
Information Policy Dept.
Xeng Dept.
ADVANUL COPIES DENT
CONFIRA TAL
XXXXX
I
CYPHER CAT A
IMMEDIATE
TELNO 1093
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
TC:
C
Fi
PEKING TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
9 DECEMBER 1968
pala 1912
RECEIVED I A "HIVES N. 51
¡ODEC 1968
GREY.
FEC139
ADDRESSED TO FCO TELNO 1095 OF 9 DECEMBER. REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO
HONG KONG,
HY IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING TELEGRAMS:
Tat 1991 st hoed
+
Tel_1072.
I BEGAN BY REFERRING TO CHINESE STATEMENT OF 21 JULY 1967 POINTING OUT
THAT ALL THE CHINESE REFERRED TO IN THAT STATEMENT HAD NOW BEEN RELEASED
AND I MUST THEREFORE ASK WHAT WERE THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT'S INTENTIONS
IN RESPECT OF GREY. YUAN REPLIED BY READING OUT A PREPARED SERIES OF
POINTS TO THE EFFECT THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT VERE FULLY JUSTIFIED IN
RESTRICTING GREY'S FREEDOM;
2 GROUPS UNDEC.7 WAS LENIENT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WERE FULLY
RESPONSIBLE FOR FAILURE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM; THE BRITISH GOVERNVET:7
HAD DONE THEIR UTMOST TO SPREAD SINISTER PROPAGANDA ON SUBJECT OF GREY'S
TREATMENT MISLEADING PUBLIC OPINION IN A PLANNED WAY, BUT THIS WOULD BE
OF NO AVAIL AND WOULD ONLY COMPLICATE MATTERS. IN PARTICULAR HE
INSTANCED YOUR STATEMENT OF 27 NOVEMBER AT RAWALPINDI ABOUT "INHUMAN
RESTRAINT", SAYING THAT THIS WAS DISTORTION AND SLANDER.
2. ❘ PRESSED FOR AN EXPLANATION OF CHINESE GOVERNMENT'S POSITION,
POINTING OUT THAT IF 1967 STATEMENT HAD ANY MEANING GREY SHOULD HAVE
BEEN RELEASED. YUAN REPEATED HIS PIECE, THOUGH HE SAID AT ONCE THAT
SINCE 1967 ANNOUNCEMENT THE BRITISH SIDE HAD GONE FURTHER
IN PERSECUTING AND ARRESTING LARGE NUMBERS OF PATRIOTIC COUNTRYMEN AND
PRESS WORKMEN, SOLUTION COULD ONLY COME THROUGH ACT BY
BRITISH GOVERNMENT.
3.
I SAID THAT I WAS INSTRUCTED TO DEMAND GREY'S IMMEDIATE RELEASE. I ALSO
LODGED THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE PROTEST AGAINST THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH
HE WAS HELD, I DEALT WITH THESE IN DETAIL COVERING ISOLATION,
DETERIORATION IN CONDITIONS WITH RESPECT TO ACCESS TO BOOKS, MAÍL,
VISITS, ACCESS TO OFFICIALS. I STRESSED OUR SERIOUS CONCERN OVER EFFECT
OF HIS LONG SOLITARY CONFINEMENT UNDER THESE
INHUMAN CONDITIONS UPON GREY'S HEALTH AND CALLED FOR PROPER MEDICAL
TREATMENT.
4.
YUAN REJECTED THE PROTEST AND REFERRED TO CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG,
THOUGH IN A SOMEWHAT HALF-HEARTED WAY. HE SAID ON SUBJECT OF HEATLH "WE
KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH THE RELEVANT PROBLEMS OF GREY'S LIVELIHOOD",
5. I REBUTTED HONG KONG CHARGES, DRAWING ON MATERIAL SUPPLIED BY ACTING
GOVERNOR AND POINTING OUT THE HANY RESPECTS IN WHICH HONG KONG PRISONERS
WERE TREATED BETTER THAN GREY. I DEMANDED IMEDIATE IMPROVEMENT IN GREY'S
CONDITIONS AND STRESSED CHINESE RESPONSIBILITY FOR GREY'S HEALTH. I
REMINDED YUAN THAT DESPITE CHINESE WISHES FACTS COULD NOT BE HIDDEN FROM
PEOPLE OUTSIDE CHINA, YUAN REPEATED HIS PARTY PIECE, AGAIN STRESSING
THAT CHINESE KNEW HOW TO LOOK AFTER GREY'S HEALTH.
6. SEE MY MEDIATELY FOLLOWING TELEGRAMA,
13.
13
REPEATED AS REQUESTED/
ANCE
ADVANCE COPIES SENT
FCO PASS IMMEDIATE HONG KONG.
MR. CRADOCK
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUT JON
1
F. EAST, D.
CONS, D.
H.K.D.
RES. D. I.P.D. NEVS D.
CONFIDENTIAL.
I.R.D.
QUEEN
66.
Cypher/Cat A
CONFIDENTIAL
MBA
48
TOP COLL
شام
FE
RECFIVED I
IMMEDIATE PEKING TO FOREIGN AND COM ONWEALTH OFFICE ARCHIVES No 31
Telno 1092
CONFID-NTIAL
9 December, 1968
LODEC 1968
pala 1962
FECIS/1.
Addressed to FCO telegram No. 1092 of 9 December Repeated for
information to: Hong Kong
Your telegram No. 952: Grey.
I obtained an interview with Yuan Deputy Director of News Department
this afternoon.
Report and comments follow in my immediately following
telegram,
FCO pass Immediate Hong Kong.
136
Mr. Cradock
[Repeated as requested]
DEPARTIENTAL DISTRIBUTION
Far Eastern Deyt
Hong Kong Dept
Consular Dept
Information Research Dept
Research Dent
Information Policy Dept
News Dept
ADVANCE COPIES SENT
CONFIDENTIAL
+
.
SECRET
+
CYPHER/CAT A
IMEEDIATE HONG KONG TO FOREIGN AND COMMON/EALTH UNTI
TEL NO. 2250
TOP COPY47
RECEIVED IN: ARCHIVES No.3 i
9 DECEMBER 1968
10 DEC 1968
RECsel
(117
SECRET
ADDRESSED FCO TELEGKAH NO. 225P OF 9TH DECEMBEN KEPEATED PEKING.
YOUR TELEGRAM NO. 1644: GREY.
WE HAVE GLEANED NO MORE THROUGH OUR INFORMAL CHANNEL THAN IS REPORTED
Іін MY TELEGRAM NO. 2246. WE HAVE NO OTHER EVIDENCE OF THE CHINESE
INTENTIONS REGARDING GREY.
Not get feed.
+
2. BEGINNING WITH CRADOCKS PRESS CONFERENCE ON 30 OCTOBER THERE HAS BEEN
CONSIDERABLE PUBLICITY IN THE LOCAL COMMUNIST PRESS ABOUT DETAINEES,
NEWSWORKERS AND CONFRONTATION PRISONERS GENERALLY. THE GROWING AGITATION
ELSEWHERE ON BEHALF OF GREY MAY HAVE ENCOURAGED THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT
TO HOLD ON TO GREY LONGER IN THE HOPE OF EXTRACTING SOME CONCESSIONS
FROM US, BUT OUR BEST LOCAL INTELLIGENCE IS THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT
ARE CONTEMPLATING HIS RELEASE. ADMITTEDLY THAT INFORMATION IS NOW SONE
WEEKS OLD BUT IT DOES SEEM TO US WORTHWHILE TO MAINTAIN The FOLICY OF
NOT BARGAINING OVER
GKEY IN THE HOPE THAT The PERING GOVERMENT, IN SPITE OF LOCAL COMMUNIST
AGITATION, WILL ACT UPON THOSE LINES.
FCO PLEASE PASS IMMEDIATA PEKING.
SIR D. TRENCH
(REPEATED AS REQUESTED]
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION:
FAN ZASTERN DEPT
4
HONG KONG DEPT
CONSULAR DEFT
NES DEPT
SECRET
ADVANCE COPIES SENT:
CYPHER/CAT A
ROUTINE LUSAKA
TELEGRAM NUMBER 3126
CONFIDENTIAL
TOP
TOP COPY
TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
6 DECEMBER 1968
FEC14/1.
RECTIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
-9DEC 1968
38
14112 FEC1341
CONFIDENTIAL,
GUIDANCES NOS 295 AND 296.
DETENTION CF GREY AND OTHERS IN CHINA.
VE HAVE GIVEN LPS PIECE FULL DISTRIBUTION BUT 17 HAS NOT
REEN USED IN LOCAL PRESS. VIZNEVS PIECE ON GREY DID HOWEVER
APPEAR ON ZTV NEVS ON 2 DECEMBER.
2. WE HAVE IT IN MIND TO SET UP INTERVIEW BETWEEN 299 REPORTER
AND LOCAL REUTER CORRESPONDENT, POSSIBLY HANGING IT ONTO
IDA WILCOX'S REPORT NO 31 ON REUTER CC01 REFERENCE.C/69/2211).
PROVIDED YOU AND PEUTER AGREE, THEIR CORRESPONDENT VOULD BE
PREPARED TO RAISE QUESTION OF GREY IN INTERVIEW ON LINES
OF GUIDANCES UIDER REFERENCE.
HR. PUMPHREY.
FILES
F. EAST. DEPT.
CONS. DEPT,
NEWS DEPT.
GUID. DEPT.
PRIV. OFFICE P.U.S.
·
CONFIDENTIAL
EN CLAIR
ROUTINE PARIS
T: .EGRAM NUMBER 1236
CLASSIFIE
TO: FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
6 DECEMBER 1968
TOP C
VOLA
ODRESSED TO F.C.O. TELEGRAM NUMBER 1236 OF 6 DECEMBER 1968) REPEATED FOR
INFORMATION TO PEKING (COMMERCIAL HEANG-).
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES Ma31
i
MY TELEGRAM NO 1219.
- 9 DEC 1968
100
MR ANTHONY GREY.
12/12.
FE434/1
FRENCH PRESS CONTINUES TO SHOW CONCERN.
THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXTRACT FROM THE REPORT IN THE IMPORTANT FRENCH
REGIONAL NEWSPAPER VOIX DU NORD OF 28 NOVEMBER:
• A YOUNG REUTERS CORRESPONDENT, ANTHONY GREY, HAS BEEN IMPRISONED IN
PEKING SINCE JULY 1967. HE IS UNDER SURVEILLANCE IN A TINY ROOM IN HIS
OWN HOUSE WHICH IS ICY COLD IN WINTER AND STIFLING IN SUMMER, IN SIXTEEN
MONTHS HE HAS NOT BEEN ALLOWED TO READ A SINGLE BOOK. HE HAS ONLY
RECEIVED TWO SHORT VISITS, THOSE OF MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH LEGATION LAST
APRIL AND ON 26 NOVEMBER. HE CANNOT EVEN LOOK THROUGH THE WINDOWS,
WHAT CRIME HAS HE COMMITTED
HE HAS NOT EVEN BEEN CHARGED
AN OFFICIAL PEKING COMMUNIQUE
THEY ARE BOARDED UP WITH PLANKS. TO DESERVE SUCH TREATMENT 2.NONE. AND
HAS THEREFORE NOT BEEN JUDGED. HAS SPOKEN OF REPRISALS AGAINST EIGHT
CHINESE PRISONERS IN HONG KONG FOR HAVING TAKEN PART IN CIVIL RIOTS
THERE. PRISONERS HAVE BEEN RELEASED BUT THAT HAS NOT CHANGED THE FATE OF
THE BRITISH JOURNALIST. MR. GREY, WHO IS SUFFERING FROM BRONCHITIS, IS
IN A STATE OF EXTREME NERVOUS AGITATION.''
THESE
F.C.O. PASS PEKING,
MR SO AMES
REPEATED AS REQUESTED
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F. EAST. DEPT.
H.K.D.
CONS. DEPT.
NEWS DEPT.
I.P.D.
I
Far Eastern Dept.
(3/14)
Dear Department,
CONFIDENTIAL
V ́S No.31
- JDEC 1968
FECBel1.
BRITISH EMBASSY,
BERNE.
Mo
5 December, 1968.
pal2016/12
Detention of Anthony Grey and others
1406
38
FECHA 138
Will you please refer to guidance telegrams 295 and 296.
2. The Swiss press has publicised this case and that of the other
detained British subjects quite satisfactorily. The "Gazette de
Lausanne" in particular has appealed for Grey's release in the enclosed
article.
It
3. We have been in touch with the International Press Institute at
Zürich. This organisation exists for the protection of the interests of
journalists and of the press world wide, and also for the maintenance of
a free press, publishes a fortnightly journal which is distributed world
wide, including, of course, countries in a position to bear some
influence on the Chinese. The Institute say they have been pressing
Grey's case in a low key and are surprised at the sudden publicity. In
their experience public pressure has been counter-productive, for the
release of the prisoners in the light of publicity would involve loss of
face on the part of the detaining power. The Institute added that in the
opinion of their Hong Kong representative publicity would elicit
counter-publicity for the Chinese held without trial in Hong Kong.
However, the Institute will now give the matter more publicity in its
journal.
Yours ever,
I
Peta thang-Jone
Information Officer (F. Arengo-Jones)
Western European Department,
Foreign & Commonwealth Office,
Downing Street,
S.W.1.
c.c. N. Gaydon, Esq., Information Policy Dept.
CONFIDENTIAL
Gazette de Lausanne
о
| LES
LES FAITS DE DEMAIN
Une dépêche Reuter
Anthony Grey, 30 ans, correspondant de l'agence Renter en Chine
populaire, sera-t-il enfin libéré ?
Arrété au mois de juillet 1967 en re- présailles pour la condamnation de
huit journalistes chinois de Hong-Kong. Grey est détenu dans une chambre
de son appartement de Pékin.
Pour la première fois, depuis de longs mois, son isolement total a été
brisé. Mardi dernier, en effet, le chargé d'Af- faires britannique M.
Percy Cradock, et le consul général Roger Garside ont été autorisés à
rendre visite (vingt-cing mi- nutes) au représentant de Reuter.
Alors que les huit journalistes chinois ont tous été libérés par les
autorités de Hong-Kong, Anthony Grey reste confiné dans sa chambre comme
olage.
Hier encore, l'intersyndicale de l'agen- ce Reuter en appelait à M. Chou
En-laï et au peuple chinois pour qu'ils rendent à son pays leur " frère
syndicaliste ".
Nos confrères londoniens ont consti- tué un contité pour la libération
de Grey.
La Gazette de Lausanne " se joint à eur. Elle souhaite que le premier
mi- nistre chinois ait assez de pouvoir pour mettre un terme à une
détention scan- daleuse.
V. F.
29.11.1968.
Ed (5084)
!
I
Reference
FEC130/1119
See ANNEX.
7
GPHER/CAT A
SECRET
IMMEDIATE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE TELEGRAM NUMBER 1644
TOP COPY
TO HONG KONG
wh
6 DECEMBER 1968. (FE)
pakozz/iz
SECRET
ADDRESSED TO HONG KONG TELNO 1644 OF 6 DECEMBER REPEATED FOR INFORMATION
TO PEKING.
GREY.