CON FID ENTIAL
Cypher/Cat A
PRIORITY PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Telegram No. 255
RECEIVE, IN ARCHIVES**
2 2 NOV 196/
NUB3/2
21 November, 1967
167
CONFIDENTIAL
Addressed to Foreign Office tele gram No. 255 of 21 November,
Repeated for information to,Rawalpindi and Hong Kong.
The Pakistan Ambassador told me today that his Government had been asked by Reuters whether they could intervene with Chinese Government on behalf of their correspondent Mr. Grey. Pakistan Government had authorised him to act as he thought fit. He said that as he had no locus standi in the matter he thought it would be best to raise it informally on a social occasion. He expects to have an opportunity to do this in a week or ten days time. He said he thought his best approach would be on humanitarian and personal grounds (he of course and Mr. [? grp. omitted]) and to ask Chinese whether there was anything that could be done for him without referring to any specific possibilities. He thought, however, that his human approach would be enhanced if he could say Pakistan Government had been contacted by Grey's mother rather than just by Reuters. He is therefore asking his Government to pass this suggestion on to Reuters. The idea is that Mrs. Grey should write to Pakistan High Commissioner in London as soon as possible to ask if his Government could use its good offices with the Chinese Government on behalf of her son.
2, I think this is a good idea and if you agree would be grateful if you would so inform Reuters in London (Pakistan Ambassador knows I am doing this) and advise them to ask Grey's mother to write accordingly. Please let me know as soon as she has done so. Please also confirm whether she has written to Chou En-lai as suggested though whether she has written or not need not affect present proposal.
3.
I have since learned through Finnish Counsellor's daughter who met David Chipp of Reuters in Hong Kong recently that latter was on his way to Pakistan to ask Pakistanis to help him to get a visa to come to Peking. He is also alleged to have said that Reuters were hoping to get Mrs. Grey here but were looking for an escort. It would be helpful if Reuters kept us better informed on such matters.
Foreign Office pass Rawalpindi M.110 and Hong Kong 112.
Mr. Hopson
[Repeated as requested]
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.O. F.E.D.
Consular Dept
News Dept
C.O. H.K.Dept
SSSSS
S.A.D.
PA.
29/11/20
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on
Relations covic
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22/15
News Dept
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