R.i.
Cypher/Cat A
CONFIDENTIAL
PRIORITY PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Telno. 474
24 May 1968
560
CONFIDENTIAL
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 474 of 2 May, Repeated for information to Hong Kong.
554) Hong Kong telegram No. 643: Grey.
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Rr
554
I have the following comments:
(a) Paragraph 1 of telegram under reference.
The danger of Chinese slipping people back with false papers would be present in the same way if confrontation prisoners were sent to reside in China as we proposed to Lo Kuei'po on 13 April. Any agreement ending confrontation would be heavily dependent on Chinese good faith; but I doubt whether that should be regarded as sufficient grounds for refusing to make such moves. So far, while insisting on outrageous terms, the Chinese have kept their bargain.
(b) Paragraph 1, third sentence.
❤
The argument about criminals with a record of serious violence is I imagine hardly applicable in the case of news workers who would be the price for Grey.
(c) Paragraph 2 (a)
The numbers would not (repeat not) be large if confined to news workers.
(a) Paragraph 5.
This
I hope that consideration will be given to amending rules to allow greater remission. would seem the most discreet way of handling the matter and, failing some agreement about sending confrontation prisoners to China, may be the only means of ensuring Grey's release before September 1969.
(c) Paragraph 5, final sentence.
I agree that whatever we do we must expect that the Chinese will seek to present it as a "Victory". But as has been recognised in earlier telegrams, the Chinese need a face-saver of some kind if they are going to sign off.
CONFIDENTIAL
/The problem
#30/5
P.M.
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