TNAG-0031-FCO40-67-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 69

CYPHER/CAT 'A'

IMMEDIATE HONG KONG

CONFIDENTIAL

TELEGRAM NUMBER 845

CONFIDENTIAL

ΤΟ

COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

3 JULY 1968

609

Woh lots.

Сь

HWAD/19

ADDRESSED CO TELNO 845 OF 3RD JULY KFI PEKING.

(607

MY TELEGRAM 839 : DETAINEES.

WE HAVE SEEN AN NCNA REPORT REPRODUCED BY AP STATING THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT INTEND TO DEPORT CAPTAIN POPE AND MR.

.D.Y.JONES.

2. I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE NOTICE OF

THEIR ARRIVAL AT LO WU OR ALTERNATIVELY CONFIRMATION OF THEIR ACTUAL

DEPARTURE FROM CHINA IF BY SOME OTHER ROUTE.

3. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT SOME ADVANTAGE MIGHT BE GAINED BY TIMING

THE RELEASE OF THE FIRST TWO DETAINEES TO FOLLOW AS CLOSELY AS

POSSIBLE AFTER THE ACTUAL EXPULSION OF POPE AND JONES. ADMITTEDLY, NEITHER OF THE DETAINEES PROPOSED IS IN A PARTICULARLY SIGNIFICANT

OR SENSITIVE CATEGORY AND I WOULD NOT WANT TO MAKE UNSOLICITED

PUBLICITY OF THEIR RELEASE BUT I FEEL THAT THE COINCIDENCE WOULD

NOT PASS UNNOTICED BY THE COMMUNISTS AND THAT WE MIGHT BY THIS

TIMING HAVE A BETTER CHANCE OF GAINING SOMETHING WITHOUT STANDING

TO LOSE ANYTHING.

FO PLEASE PASS IMMEDIATE PEKING.

LAST

RI

SIR D. TRENCH

[REPEATED AS REQUESTED].

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