TNAG-0032-FCO40-68-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 12

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SUBMISSION

Mr. Wilkinson

C.C. P.S.

791

PROBLEM

MR. ANTHONY GREY

We must once again review our efforts to

obtain the release of Mr. Anthony Grey, the

Reuters correspondent detained in Peking,

particularly in view of the recent move of the

Chinese in respect of exit visas for our Missio.

Moreover, Mr, Gerald Long, General Manager of

Reuters, has recently written to the Secretary

of State asking him to use his influence to

move the Governor of Hong Kong towards an act

of clemency. An interim reply has gone to

Mr. Long and a substantive reply has been

promised.

RECOMMENDATION

2. I recommend that we approve the attached

telegram to the Governor of Hong Kong. A

parallel submission is being made in the

Commonwealth Office.

BACKGROUND

3.

The background to Mr. Grey's case is set

out in my submission of 2 May.

Our past

efforts to negotiate Mr. Grey's release have

consisted of an indication by Mr. Brown in a

letter to Chen Yi, the Chinese Foreign Minister,

last August that he might be able to arrange

the release to China of NCNA journalists

imprisoned in Hong Kong, in exchange for the

release of Kr. Grey; and subsequently of

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