CONFIDENTIAL
331
CYPHER/CAT A
IMMEDIATE
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
ΤΟ
HONG KONG
TELNO 397
5 MARCH 1968 (HWB 3/2)
CONFIDENTIAL.
ADDRESSED TO GOVERNOR HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO 397 OF 5/3 REPEATED
FOR INFORMATION TO PEKING.
330 r 329
YOUR TELEGRAM NO 276 AND PEKING TEL NO 161.
WE AGREE THAT CONVICTED PRISONERS AGAINST WHOM DEPORTATION
ORDERS ARE IN FORCE SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE HELD, NOTWITHSTANDING THE EXPIRY OF THEIR SENTENCES, UNTIL WE HAVE TESTED CHINESE
REACTIONS BY ATTEMPTING DEPORTATION OF DETAINEES (STARTING WITH FILM STARS).
2. WE SEE NO POINT IN AWAITING CHINESE REACTION ON ISSUE OF
EXIT VISAS BEFORE INITIATING FILM STAR EXERCISE. NOR ARE WE
CLEAR AS TO YOUR REASONS FOR PROPOSING DEFERMENT OF EXERCISE
PENDING GRANT BY CHINESE OF VISIT TO GREY. IN VIEW OF
CONSIDERATIONS SET OUT IN YOUR PARAGRAPH 4 THERE MAY IN FACT
BE ADVANTAGE IN PRESSING AHEAD WITH DEPORTATIONS AS SOON
AS POSSIBLE. WE REALISE THAT ANY OVERT REFUSAL AT THE FRONTIER
BY THE FILM STARS TO ACCEPT DEPORTATION MIGHT SOUR RELATIONS WITH
THE CHINESE THEREBY PREJUDICING OUR CHANCE OF OBTAINING A VISIT TO GREY. BUT EQUALLY THE CONTINUED DETENTION OF CONVICTED
PRISONERS AFTER EXPIRY OF SENTENCE MIGHT HAVE THE SAME EFFECT.
3. GRATEFUL FOR YOUR AND PEKING'S FURTHER VIEWS.
CROSEC
C.O.
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
H.K.DEPT.
F.E. & P.D.
DEFENCE DEPT.
F.0.
F.E.D.
D.D. & P.U.S.D.
J.I.R.D.
J.I.A.D.
J.I.P.G.D.
NEWS DEPT.
NNNNN
RECEIVE! "I |
ARSO
-7 MAR 1968
CONFIDENTIAL
330
333
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.