of 'face'
Whe
shill
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have
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are for the Easter
Top SECREI
Arhout-
6/2
CYPHER/CAT A
ROUTINE HONG KONG
TOP SECRET
376
COPY NO.
12
TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
RECEIVE
VIGRAM NUMBER 156
15 FEBRUARY 1969
¡AR
17PEN ww
+
TOP SECRET
тра
ADDRESSED FCO AS MYTEL NO. 156 OF 15TH FEBRUARY RFI PEKING.
(312)
PEKING TELEGRAM NO. 108 ↑ GREY.
357
MY TELEGRAM NO. 138 WAS ONLY A VERY SHORT SUMMARY AND COMMENTARY
ON SEVERAL LENGTHY MEETINGS. I SUGGEST THAT THE FULL REPORTS,
WHICH WERE SENT BY BAG ON 13TH FEBRUARY, INCLUDING THE LATEST
ON A FURTHER MEETING HELD ON 12TH FEBRUARY WHICH IS A SHADE
MORE HOPEFUL, SHOULD BE STUDIED BEFORE COMING TO ANY DEFINITE
CONCLUSION. VE ARE ALSO UNDERTAKING A FRESH APPRECIATION HERE.
2. FOR THE MOMENT, I CONSIDER WE SHOULD TAKE NO FRESH INITIATIVES,
BUT SEE WHAT COMES OF OUT OFFERS TO BE GENERALLY HELPFUL WITHIN
OUR TERMS.
FOO PLEASE PASS ROUTINE PEKING.
SIR D. TRENCH
FILES
F.F.D.
H.K.DEPT.
P.U.S.D.
MR. MORETON
SIR A. GALSWORTHY
SIR J. JOHNSTON
P.S. TO LOPO SHEPHERD PRIVATE SECRETARY
NNNNN
REPEATED AS REQUESTED/
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+
Cypher/Cat A
TOP SECRET
TOP COPY (112
COPY NO:
ICEDITE PEKING TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
Telno 108
1 SECRET
13 February, 1969
1
I ford it praty dekowaging
Addressed to FCO telegram No.108 of 13 February,
Repented for information to Hong Kong,
Hong Kong telegram No.138:
Grey.
1351
12
141
Boy 20 M2 Wom lovefer the 2014/2 lazı/? 1. Mungay R
I do not think we should be too discouraged by this
initial reaction.
O.R.
Kipin
Feb.
2.
It is odd that only alleged grounds for rejection are the unwillingness
of prisoners to return to mainland. It is hard to believe that Peking
would rind this obstacle insuperable. The Communists may be seeking a
firmer assurance from us that prisoners would be allowed to return to
Hong Kong.
They may also wish to deduct remission, enabling prisoners to return
earlier.
3. It is important that our proposals have not been rejected out of hand
as disguised deportation. It seems to me we still have an opening to
work on, and I agree with Cater's suggestions in paragraph 3 of telegram
under reference. Even if only a few prisoners were persuaded to return
to the mainland it would ease the problem considerably, particularly if
this group included man not due for release until 1971.
4. If Chinese do react positively to this line, it could be hinted to
them that we would be content to see journalists lie low in Macao until
period of their sentences is concluded.
FCO pass Immediate Hong Kong.
Mr. Cradock.
FILES
F.East. Dept.
H.K.Dept.
P.U..D.
Mr. Noreton
Sir A.Galsworthy Sir J.Johnston
88888
[Repeated as remuested]
P.S. to Lord Shepherd
Private Secretary
ADVANCE COPY SENT
TOP SECRET
351
اجرا
CYPHER/CAT A
PRIORITY HONG KONG
TEL NO 136
во
Fortautily Cortot Los his
dired chand LF Peking
TOP SECR the kind
of unbofffel
TOP SECRET
TC:
COPY NO:
TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
سلام
11 FELNWARY 1969 15
Mv
LL
12
enthich fe
13/12
не зверн
REIVED IN
:
Les
formed
lw14/2
ESSED F.C.0, TELNO 138 OF 11 FEBRUARY RFI PEKING.
348
pa
11 FEB 1989
辰
FEC 134/1
MY TELEGRAM 108:GREY,
Ꮀ
CATER HAS HAD THREE FURTHER MEETINGS WITH CONTACT WHO HAS TOLD
HIM THAT LI HAS FASSED A MESSAGE TO THE EFFECT THAT THE PROPOSAL TO
HE HAD,
ZASE THE NEWSVORKERS TO CHINA IS UNACCEPTABLE.
HOWEVER, AS YET HEARD NOTHING ON HIS OWN CHANNEL TO FEKING.
1
2. LI CHO-CHIH TOLD CONTACT IN CONFIDENCE THAT THE REASON FOR THIS
HOW WAS THAT IT WOULD DE EMBARRASSING FOR THE COMMUNISTS TO HAVE
TC TRY TO PERSUADE OR ORDER THE ELEVEN TO GO WILLINGLY,
IT
WAS ONLY TOO LIKELY THAT SOME OF THEM WOULD REFUSE TO LEAVE THE
THE PROPOSAL WAS EVEN MORE DIFFICULT FOR THEM THAN
COLURY.
HERELY RELEASING GREY.
3. CATER SUCGESTED TO CONTACT THAT THE COMMUNISTS SHOULD AT LEAST
BE ASKED TO CONSIDER WHETHER THEY WOULD NOT LIKE TO SEE THE
ARE.
11 NEWSWORKERS FIRST IN ORDER TO FIND OUT HOW UNWILLING THEY
WE WOULD HELP THEM DO SO WITHOUT FULLICITY IF THEY WISHED:
/OR HELP
TOP SECRET
TOP SECRET
-2-
OR HELP IN ANY OTHER WAY TO GET OVER THEIR DIFFICULTIES WHICH
THEY MIGHT CARE TO PUT FORWARD.
CATER ALSO SUGGESTED THAT IF
PEKING PREFERRED, WE COULD DEPORT THE ELEVEN AT LO WU, TO MACAO
CONTACT SAID THAT HE WOULD PUT THESE IDEAS FORWARD
OR ELSEWHERE.
AS HIS OWN.
4.
ALTHOUGH WE HAVE DONE CUR BEST TO KEEP OUR PROPOSAL ALIVE,
THE PROSPECTS OF SUCCESS ARE NOT AT PRESENT VERY GOOD.
IT MAY BE HOWEVER THAT SOMETHING RAY COME OF OUR LATEST SUGGESTIONS.
5.
COPIES OF REPORTS FOLLOW BY BAG.
CFCO PLS PASS TO PEKING)
SIR D.TRENCH
FILES
F.I.D.
R.K.D.
P.0.5.D.
P.S.
[REPEATED S REQUESTED]
SIR A.GʻL6WORTHY
3IR J.JOHNSTON
NR. MORETON,
P.S. TO LORD SHEPHARD
}
+
+
TOP SECRET
342
TOP SECRET
COPY NO.
Cypher/Cat A
PRIORITY PEKING PO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
PRIORITY PEVING TELEGRAM NO. 35 20 HONG KONG
TOP SECRET
1 CG
RECEIVED IN
6 FERRU, ARÇ| 1950N=.31
FEBRU||ARÇ,
Addressed to Hong Kong tele, rem No. 35 of 6 Febru Repeated for
information to PCO.
Hong Kong telegram No. 108: Grey.
- 7 FEB 1969
FEC1341.
AF Boy Fun
pa was 7/2
These meetings provide grounds for cautious optimism. However, Chinese
reaction may be one of suspicion and distrusť, particularly over the
issue of how to disguise temporary deportation.
2. It might help to allay their fears if we were to suggest that
prisoners could return to China by way of Kacao rather than Lo u. The
Communist Press could presumably explain their immediate departure from
the colony by stressing their need for recuperation following their
imprisonment. We could point out to contect that a
precedent exists in those prisoners who have returned to China upon
completion of their scntences, and in the case of sick left wing
prisoner whose sentence was recently commuted, and who is said to have
gone to lacao for treatment.
FCO pass priority Hong Kong.
11/20
Mr. Cradock.
FILES
Far Eastern Dept.
Hong Kong Dept.
Private Secretary P.S. to Lord Shepherd.
Sir A. Galsworthy
Sir J. Johnston Mr. Koreton.
Repeated es requested_/
XXXXX
TOP SECRET
P
3
(352
Cypher/Cat A
TOP COPY
TOP SECRET
PEKING TO FOREIGN AND COLLIONWEALTH OFFICE
COM
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
- 6 JAN 1969
Telno 87
5 February, 1969
le
TOP SECRET
Addressed to FCO telegram No.87 of 5 February, Repeated for information
to Hong Kong.
2.95
As I indicated in paragraph 5 of my telegram No.30, I think it desirable
to remind the Chinese during course of our contacts in Hong Kong over
Grey that failure to settle question soon will involve them in
continuing embarrassment and damage to their prestige. The recent
demonstration by "Friends of China" in London suggests that Chinese are
seeking to put pressure on us. We should move cuickly to show them that
the publicity boot is on the other foot.
2.
For reasons which I have already explained publicity in the United
Kingdom is probably undesirable. But I recommend that we seek to
stimulate comment on the Grey case in foreign Press, particularly in
Belgium and Italy, who have recently expressed interest in recognition
of China.
FCO pass Hong Kong.
Mr. Cradock.
FILES
F.East. Dept.
4.K.D.
P.U.S.D.
P.3.
P.S. TO Lord Shepherd
Sir A.Galsworthy
"r. Moreton,
Sir. J. Johnston
[Repeated as requested]
پل
5/2
mind enge/2 ugif
Mr A
bapy No. 1 (Adurance) destroyed.
8
88888
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血缘
Summer's
337
TOP SECRET
17(357
t
3/2
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES NË,31
- 5 JAN 1969
FEC135/1
Dear James,
Office of the British Chargé
d'Affaires
Peking
28 January, 1969
Jann
Mo Moreton,
Uunay it fel
qvc 4/2-
I have received a copy of the Governor's letter
to Galsworthy of 7 January on the subject of Grey and of the attached
paper, minus certain paragraphs which were telegraphed to me.
2.
The conclusion of the paper is that there is no price for Grey. The
letter makes the same point and goes on to a more general proposition,
opposing "the view generally that concessions deliberately made as such
would bring resulte" (paragraph 1).
3.
Some three days after writing this letter the Governor stated in his
telegram 28 "On balance, however, it now looks as if they probably will
release Grey if 11 newsworkers were released and that they would be glad
of a bargain, but this does not mean that Grey would only be released on
these terms. They may well be ready to accept less." In the ane telegram
the Governor suggested an offer of releasing newsworkers to China in
return for Grey. This disposes of the idea that there is no price for
Grey and of the more general contention that concessions will not work.
4.
Since the arguments in letter and paper have now been abandoned by Hong
Kong I shall not waste time making further comments. If, however, there
were any dispositions in the future to revive these contentions I should
wish to reserve for myself, or my successor, the opportunity to deal
with them in detail.
Hong Kong
I am copying this letter to Arthur Haddocks in
Yours wer
Вася валом
(Percy Cradock)
Janes Murray, Eaq., C.M.G.,
Far Eastern Department,
POO
TOP SECRET
337
·333
T
Tough going. It will inm a
Mr with lazz
topy:- to Hong Kong Dept.
"6A"/2/69.
HKK 1/12 120)
CYPHER/CAT A
PRIORITY HONG KONG TO
TELEGRAM NO. 108
TOP SECRET
TOP SE CRET
Me ihw
The 4F6
3 FEBRUARY 1969
my sure.
+8
3
COPY NO.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
paja 4/2
RECEIVED IN FARCHIVES No.31
ADORESSED FCO AS MY TEL NO. 108 OF 3RD FEBRUARY RFI PEKING
MY TELEGRAM NO. 871 GREY.
-
·3 JAN 1969
"FEC139/1.
CATER HAS HAD FURTHER MEETINGS WITH CONTACT WHO TOLD HIM THAT
HE HAD INFORMED LI CHO- CHIH ON 28 JANUARY OF THE MESSAGE
CATER PASSED ON 27 JANUARY, LI'S FIRST REACTION HAD BEEN
THAT HE DID NOT THINK HE COULD PASS IT TO PEKING. LI ALLEGEDLY
SAID THAT A SIMILAR PROPOSAL HAD ALREADY BEEN MADE BY THE
BRITISH AND REJECTED BY PEKING. LI EXPLAINED THAT HE HAD IN
HIND YOUR PREDECESSOR'S MESSAGE CONTAINED IN C.O. TELEGRAM
. 1801 OF 31 AUGUST, 1967. LI SAID THAT PEKING'S FAILURE
TO REPLY TO THAT MESSAGE HEANT THAT THE PROPOSAL HAD BEEN
REJECTED.
2.
CONTACT OF COURSE KNEW NOTHING OF THAT 1967 MESSAGE AND
REFERRED TO US FOR INFORMATION, HE WAS ALLOWED TO READ THAT
MESSAGE AND IT WAS EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT THE REFERENCE IN IT
TO GREY WAS INCIDENTAL AND THAT THE SITUATION THEN WAS VERY
DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IT IS NOW.
3. CONTACT THEN HAD A FURTHER MEETING WITH LI AND CLAIMS
THAT HE USED THE ARGUMENTS WE HAD GIVEN HIM AND THAT LI APPEARED
TO ACCEPT THIS EXPLANATION WITHOUT ANY FURTHER SERIOUS ARGUMENT.
LI UNDERTOOK TO TRANSIT OUR PROPOSAL TO PEKING WHICH HAS IN
ANY CASE BEEN SENT SEPARATELY BY CONTACT.
A. ANOTHER OBJECTION WHICH WAS RAISED BY L1 AT THE FIRST MEETING
UITH CONTACT WAS THAT THERE MIGHT BE SONE DIFFICULTY IN GETTING
THE IMPRISONED NEWSVORKERS TO CHOOSE RELEASE TO CHINA WITH NO
RIGHT TO RETURN TO HONG KONG RATHER THAN A FEW MONTHS IN PRISON
HERC AND FREEDOM TO REMAIN INDEFINITELY. CONTACT CLAIMS HE
TOP
SECRFT
ד יד
L
i
1
/CHIDED
+
ப
I
1
TOP SECRET
2
CHIDED LI ON THIS, SAYING THAT HE FOUND IT ALMOST UNBEL (EVABLE -
THAT LI'SHOULD THINK PATRIOTIC COMPATRIOTS WOULD PREFER IMPRISON- MENT
IN HONG KONG TO FREEDOM IN CHINA AND THAT LI SEEMED
UNCOMFORTABLE IN DISCUSSING THIS POINT.
5. CONTACT SAID HE FORMED THE OPINION THAT LI'S INITIAL COMMENTS
WERE PROBABLY THOSE TO BE EXPECTED FROM A COMMUNIST NEGOTIATOR,
WHOSE INITIAL REACTION TO ANY PROPOSAL WAS SURE TO BE CRITICAL.
6. AT A LATER MEETING BETWEEN CATER AND CONTACT ON 31 JANUARY
CATER WAS ASKED TO SUPPLY THE FORM OF WORDS WHICH THE NEWSWORKERS
WOULD HAVE TO SUBMIT IN ORDER TO CLAIM RETURN TO CHINA.
7. AT HIS NEXT MEETING ON 1 FEBRUARY CATER REPLIED THAT
THERE WAS NO STANDARD FORM AND THAT WE WOULD BE CONTENT WITH
ANY REASONABLE LANGUAGE WHICH MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE PRISONER
CONCERNED WAS WILLING TO GO,
FCO PLEASE PASS PRIORITY PEKING.
SIR O. TRENCH
FILES
FAR EASTERN DEPT.
HONG KONG DEPT.
P.U.S.D.
PRIVATE SECRETARY
P.S. TO LORD SHEPHERD
SIR A. GAL SWORTHY
SIR J. JOHNSTON
151. MORETON
PATENKIN
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED/
TOP SECRET
ነ
FLAG H
Fr.
1. Kofeton
TOP SECRET
TOP SECRET
Mr. Anthony Grey
Im Jam Jonny
ナ
Gue in
RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES No.31.
29 JAN 1969
FEa34c
In consequence of the meeting held this morning by
341
tpako
Alo 29/1
Lord shepherd, I attach a redraft of the telegram attached
to my submission of 17 January.
2.
The relevant passage of Mr. George Brown's letter of
31 August to Chen Xi reads as follows:-
"If you give me your assurance that you agree to this
.e. the departure of all British subjects in China wishing to leave
including Mr. Grey7 but the Chinese
newspapermen and news agency personnel recently
sentenced in Hong Kong pose a problem for you, I may
be able to arrange their departure from Hong Kong for
China."
Since this language, particularly the link with British subjects
presumably leaving China for good, seems to me to imply
permanent departure, and since we wish to leave unspecified at
this stage whether or not repatriation should be permanent, I
think it might be better if Mr. Cater did not refer to
Mr. Brown's letter. If however we have subsequently to justify
our actions publicly Mr. Brown's letter can be used to
demonstrate that we have followed a consistent policy on this
matter of release of journalists to China.
3. Hong Kong Department ag
Copies to
Sir A. Galeworthy
Sir J. Johnston
Mr. Carter
(James Murray) 24 January, 1969
TOP SECRET
TOP SECRET
TOP SECRET ·
Sú 7. Folunoló
manuscript changes
apress
salje d
to the time
I have taken
û he
draft telegram
Sir
A. Gals withing is
in content
to lean thes
Le
is
for the
вависимо
ام
Ул. ост
A T
The Bayay
Jo Gain + pa
207,
24/
TOP SECRET
RECEIVED IN !ARC V.S No.31
29 JAN 1969
340
29/1
as the
Lo
сперимска
Mr. Anthony Grey
FECIZE/1.
+
I also entertain misgivings about the course proposed.
If one could leave aside the humanitarian ractor, our course
would be plain. We should patiently aim to bring the Chinese
to the realisation that we will not respona to blackmail or
this kind, to the point at which they decide to release
Mr. Grey without exacting a price. while we show ourselves
ready to discuss a price, the Chinese are conrirmed in the