TNAG-0066-FCO40-102-Local-intelligence-reports-1968 — Page 37

CYPHER/CAT A

SECRET

RECEIVE

IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TO COMMⱭ NWEALTH

TELNO. 963

A OFFICE - 6 AUĢIO

6 AUGUST 1968

SECRET

HWA

P.a.

$57/8

ADDRESSED CO TELEGRAM NO. 963 OF 6TH AUGUST REPEATED PA SINGAPORE,

WASHINGTON, CANBERRA, AND SAVING TO PEKING.

FOR COMMONWEALTH OFFICE AND CABINET OFFICE FOR JIC. FOLLOWING FROM

LIC WEEKLY ASSESSMENT OF THE SITUATION AS AT 0600 HOURS 5TH AUGUST

1968 FOLLOWS. THE PRINCIPAL FEATURES OF THE PERIOD HAVE BEEN:-

(A) CONTINUING COMMUNIST REACTION TO THE CHUNG WAH SCHOOL ISSUE

WHICH, ALTHOUGH BECOMING MORE WIDE-SPREAD, HAS REMAINED RELATIVELY

MODERATE. A LETTER, BEARING THE CHOP OF THE OWNER OF THE SCHOOL,

WAS DELIVERED TO GOVERNMENT DEMANDING HIS RELEASE AND ASKING FOR

POSTPONEMENT OF THE DATE C6TH AUGUST) ON WHICH HE HAS BEEN INVITED

TO EXCERCISE HIS RIGHT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE EDUCATION

ORDINANCE TO APPEAR BEFORE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL. THESE POINTS WERE

REJECTED IN WRITING. GOVERNMENT HAD EARLIER REITERATED TO THE

OWNER HIS POSITION REGARDING APPEAL CPARAGRAPH 1CA) OF

TELEGRAM NO. 945). IT IS NOW CLEAR THAT HE DOES NOT INTEND TO

EXCERCISE HIS LEGAL RIGHTS. PROPAGANDA ATTACKING GOVERNMENT ON

THIS ISSUE REMAINED AT A HIGH LEVEL IN THE COMMUNIST PRESS, THE

MAIN ITEM BEING A STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE SCHOOL ISSUED BY THE

KWANG TUNG SUPPORT COMMITTEE ON 3RD AUGUST. EMPHASIS HAS BEEN LAID

ALSO ON THE INABLITY OF THE OWNER TO CONDUCT AN APPEAL WHILST IN

DETENTION. PROTEST MEETINGS HAVE CONTINUED TO BE HELD WITHIN

EDUCATIONAL CIRCLES AND IN A FEW OTHER ORGANISATIONS HAVE CONVENED.

GATHERINGS ON THIS SUBJECT. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN FIVE SMALL

DELEGATIONS TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS REGARDING THE ORIGINAL THREE

SECRET

/DEMANDS

26