TNAG-0032-FCO40-68-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 190

CONFIDENTIAL

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Mr. Murray

Mr. Gaminara

Release of Kr. Anthony Grey

713

Your submission of 2 Way provided the background for a discussion with the Governor of Hong Kong about possible means of securing Mr. Grey's release. It is clear that the Chinese regard all or some of the journalists and news workers imprisoned in Hong Kong as the quid pro quo for Mr. Grey. They have no interest in the release of these prisoners anywhere except in Hong Kong as this would not provide them with the "victory" they need to boost the morale of their local supporters. The release of other categories of prisoners or detainees is also unlikely to affect Mr. Grey's position.

The

2. As a result of our discussions with the Governor in May and subsequent exchanges it is clear that he does not consider that any general act of clemency of the kind proposed by Sir D. Hopson would be acceptable or that it would be justifiable to alter the rules about remission to enable any of the 13 persons involved to be released earlier than would normally be allowed (Hong Kong telegrams No. 643 and 802). Details of when prisoners are due for release are given in Hong Kong telegrams No. 520 and 528. two journalists seuh Ping (Sit Ping) and Lo Yuk Wo are due for release on 17 November, 1968 and 12 September, 1969 respectively if they earn full remission. The last prisoner in the group Wong Chak would be due for release with full remission, on 2 February, 1971. I think it highly unlikely the price for Mr. Grey would be less than Hsueh and Lo. The Chinese might in the first instance at least try to insist on the release of all thirteen but settle eventually for less. It is therefore possible that at best Mr. Grey could be released in September, 1969 or at worst not until after February, 1971.

3.

The arguments which the Governor advances against earlier remission are that it would put left wing prisoners in a special category thus giving a "victory" to the communists and boosting their morale at a time when the Hong Kong Government were

It would not in any being successful against them. case necessarily help Mr. Grey but would certainly

He has also damage confidence in the Colony. pointed out that although there is some sympathy for Mr. Grey in Hong Kong many sections of opinion would not regard the case as of direct comern to Hong Kong and hence not worth taking risks for. The Governor's general philosophy summarised in Hong Kong telegram No. 884 is that any concessions which are not of a major character and therefore damaging would be unlikely to produce any marked

Some minor improvement in Cino-British relations. concessions can be made to mute Communist stridency and "cut the ground from under their feet" but we should not expect real dividends from them.

/The