SECRET
CYPHER/CAT A
PRIORITY FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING
TELNO. 1069
8 DECEMBER 1967 (FED)
190
SECRET.
ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NUMBER 1069 OF 8 DECEMBER REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO HONG KONG.
182)
20
HONG KONG TELEGRAM NUMBER 1820 DEPORTATION OF PRISONERS. PARAGRAPH 9.
OUR PRELIMINARY VIEW IS THAT THE CHINESE WOULD BE UNLIKELY TO ENTER INTO A DISCUSSION ABOUT ACCEPTING DEPORTEES AND THAT THAT ONLY EFFECT OF PUTTING THE PROBLEM TO THEM WOULD BE TO MAKE THEM PRESS FOR FULFILMENT OF ALL THE QUOTE FIVE DEMANDS UNQUOTE.
THERE MIGHT HOWEVER BE SOME ADVANTAGE IN SELECTING A BATCH OF SUITABLE PRISONERS AND DETAINEES AND THEN NOTIFYING THE CHINESE THAT AS AN EARNEST OF OUR DESIRE TO IMPROVE RELATIONS WE INTENDED TO RELEASE THEM AND RETURN THEM TO CHINA ON A CERTAIN DAY. IF THE CHINESE WERE NOT (REPEAT NOT) PREPARED TO ACCEPT THEM THEY WOULD PROBABLY MAKE THIS CLEAR IN ADVANCE. IF THEY MADE NO REPLY BUT, WHEN THE TIME CAME, REFUSED TO ACCEPT THEM AT THE FRONTIER, THE PERSONS CONCERNED WOULD HAVE TO BE PUT BACK IN CONFINEMENT. IF THE CHINESE DID ACCEPT THE FIRST BATCH IT MIGHT THEN BE POSSIBLE TO INDICATE THAT PROVIDED AN IMPROVEMENT IN RELATIONS WAS MAINTAINED THERE WOULD BE FURTHER RELEASES. THIS WOULD EVENTUALLY GIVE THE CHINESE AN EXCUSE TO CLAIM THAT THEIR DEMAND ABOUT PRISONERS HAD
BEEN MET, AS WELL AS RELIEVING HONG KONG OF UNWANTED PERSONS. 3. CLEARLY THIS MAY NOT EVEN BE A STARTER, BUT WE SHOULD WELCOME YOUR VIEWS.
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182
207,208
84 Dee 1967
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