TNAG-0034-FCO40-70-Relations-with-China-1968 — Page 32

Our views on problems of publicity and detainees

a70 Be ut in other telegrams.

As regards

Estleh, there seems to be a measure of agreement that there is little to be achieved by his

premature release on its own. Ja observed in

Peking tol. No. 905, his value as a potential

concession has decreased with time and must now be

slight. To go outside the normal processes of

law with only a negligible chance of its paying

dividends seems pointless.

3. It is still our view that ideally the move

most likely to prompt the early release of Grey

is the premature release of both Hsueh and Lo.

But we realise fully the difficulties of justifying

such a move in Hong Kong, particularly in the

absence of any assurance or even hint regarding

the release or Grey; and indeed in face of the

advice received from contact that there is

"no price", If it failed we should be in the

embarrassing position anticipated in para. 2

of tel. No. 1414 of 30 August.

In this difficult situation, we accept that the

least unsatisfactory course of action is to proceed as you propose, 1.e. await the release

of Hsueh, with remission, on 17 November and

see what then happens.

15.