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4
has been able to clear up a misunderstanding about an alleged
Hong Kong Government's circular concerning reinstatement of
strikers and to give the communists advance warning of the
release of detainees.
He has also explained the Government's
policy over the Chung Wah School and this elicited the reply
that Li (presumably reflecting local communist opinion)
realised that the Hong Kong Government had no real alternative
to deregistration. The question was not of serious concern
to the local communists but they had to make a fuss.
7.
It is still unclear why the Chinese decided to open this
channel assuming that it is genuine. Some of the views
attributed by Li to the communists are hard to swallow (end of
paragraph 4 above) and may only be intended as bait to encourage
us to swallow demands for concessions. After the initial
haste to start discussions, meetings have been well spaced.
Nothing has apparently been achieved, nor has there been any
perceptible softening in the local communist attitude, e.g.
in the press, though Li has claimed there has been. There
seems however every advantage in keeping the channel open as
discussion with the Chinese through other channels, e.g. in
London and Peking, has so far not proved very productive; while
there are obvious objections to using N.C.N.A. in Hong Kong.
We shall have an opportunity to test the value of this channel
if it is decided to pursue one of the Governor's proposals on
negotiating an exchange of Mr. Grey for the two imprisoned
N.C.N.A. oorrespondents.
question.
Copy to: Mr. Carter
I am submitting separately on this
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Janne Telemag
ваше
(James Murray)
23 August, 1968.
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