SECRET
COPY FOR
INWARD TELEGRAM
TO THE COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
(The Secretary of State)
FROM HONG KONG (Q.A.G.)
Cypher
D. 11 July 1967 R. 11
07502
EGISTRATION
JUL
12
4
IMMEDIATE SECRET
No.1004
Your telegram No.1373.
Psyops.
RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES No.63
11 JUL.767
HWB 1/22
A major aspect of the current conflict here is the maintenance of confidence in and support for the government by the local population. Our assessment is that we are in for a long haul and that Communist pressure is unlikely to be relaxed.
20
So far we have substantially succeeded in exposing the barremess of Communist claims and keeping the population at large calm. The majority of our publicity has been achieved by defensive measures, i.e. blocking the initiatives of the other side.
30 In early May, a publicity committee was set up under the chairmanship of the Deputy Colonial Secretary to meet daily, act as a forum of ideas and to give direction to positive publicity. Propaganda material has been disseminated through the press, radio and leaflets by a small publicity unit composed of officers from Government Information Services, Radio Hong Kong and liaison staff of the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs. Most of the material put out has been attributable, though by special means, unattributable articles have been issued. Also there have been occasional emissions of covert propaganda put out by members of the emergency intelligence working group (a sub-committee of the L.I.C. chaired by the Political Adviser) which meets as often as is necessary to assess information from ordinary and sensitive sources. All the present circumstances now suggest that the opportunity should be taken not only to intensify present propaganda operations but also to embark where we can on splitting and discouraging the local Communists.
4. In these circumstances, I welcomed the suggestion of the Services that the possibility of attaching an officer with psychological operations experience to C.B.F.'s staff should be explored. If it were approved, the idea would be for him to work directly with our propaganda machine as a member of the publicity committee and emergency intelligence working group. No separate military operations of this nature are contemplated. The officer concerned would be contributing his advice and experience in a civilian role and at the same time be a link between civil and military in these matters. C.B.F. and I both feel that there are definite advantages to be gained from this proposal.
(Passed to D.S.A.0. as advance copies for Commonwealth
Secretary, Far Eastern Dept., Foreign Office, and
Mr. Glover, News Department)
/Distribution
SECRET
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