TNAG-0027-FCO40-63-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 37

CONFIDENTIAL

FOREIGN OFFICE TELEGRAM NO.1123 TO PEKING

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2. CHIPP STILL HAS DOUBTS ABOUT PUBLICITY BECAUSE HE FEARS THAT IT MAY CAUSE THE CHINESE TO BRING CHARGES AGAINST GREY OR MAKE OUR COMPLIANCE WITH DEMANDS OVER HONG KONG THE PRICE OF HIS RELEASE. THESE ARE POSSIBILITIES THAT YOU HAVE NO DOUBT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT. CHIPP ADMITS HOWEVER THAT SOME OF HIS COLLEAGUES WITHIN REUTERS NOW FAVOUR PUBLICITY AND THAT, IN ANY CASE, IF NO PROGRESS IS MADE AFTER THE NEW YEAR PUBLICITY WILL BECOME INEVITABLE. WE ACCEPT THIS AND HAVE AGREED THAT THE MATTER SHOULD BE REVIEWED SHORTLY BEFORE PARLIAMENT REASSEMBLES ON 17 JANUARY. IN THE MEANTIME, WE SHALL CONTINUE TO AVOID PUBLICITY AND WOULD BE GLAD IF YOU WOULD DO THE SAME. IF A STATEMENT IS TO BE MADE, THERE MIGHT BE ADVANTAGE IN ITS BEING MADE OUTSIDE PEKING, POSSIBLY BY REUTERS IN LONDON. BUT WE SHALL WISH TO CONSIDER THIS FURTHER WITH YOU.

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