TNAG-0031-FCO40-67-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 185

CONFIDENTIAL

Cypher/Cat A

IMMEDIATE PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Telno 420

11 May 1968

548

CONFIDENTIAL

Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 420 of 11 May Repeated for information to Hong Kong

My immediately preceding telegram.

On the question of Grey's release I conclude from your telegrams that there is very little you feel we can do at S40)the present time. As your telegram 460 recognises this

blights any prospect of Grey's early release, with all the attendant risks to his physical and mental health which continued solitary confinement entails.

2. I saw only disadvantage in returning to the charge with proposal that N.C.N.A. men and other newspaper workers might be released to China in return for Grey without any of them being able to come back to Hong Kong. After clear rejection of this offer by Lo Kuei-po on 13 April, its reiteration now would merely irritate. We must however explore whether there is any amendment to this offer that might make it more acceptable to Chinese. The proposal to release prisoners to China until their sentences in Hong Kong expire seems to me much the best line to investigate. I do not see why it must be regarded in Hong Kong as a sign of weakness (paragraph 3 of your telegram 460). The effect would be to release prisoners in Hong Kong no sooner than if they had served their full sentence and were then released in the Colony as will happen if we do nothing. I agree that we should test Chinese attitude over releasing Choi (Hong Kong telegram No. 454 paragraph 3). We should also examine possibility of post dated re-entry permits 539) (your telegram 459 paragraph 3). If there appears to be

some scope for putting an amended proposal about release to China the best course may be to try this out with Li Chou-chih (Hong Kong telegram No. 454 paragraph 4).

3. If none of this works, are there any legal devices which might be employed to grant greater than normal remission to N.C.N.A. and other journalist prisoners? This would accelerate date at which Grey might expect release and would have the advantage of avoiding publicity.

Foreign Office please pass Hong Kong 300.

Sir D. Hopson

[Repeated as requested]

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

F.O. F.E.D.

FFFFF

Consular Dept.

News Dept.

Defence Dept.

P.U.S.D.

I.R.D.

C.0. H.K. Dept.

News Dept.

S.A.D.

F.E. & P.D.

CONFIDENTIAL

ADVANCE COPIES SENT

500

16/5 554