TNAG-0077-FCO40-113-Action-against-Communist-press-1967 — Page 28

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Hong Kong telegram No. 1328 to Commonwealth Office (D.T.D.)

3

defined

possession illegal. They would be so defiant as not to include the recognised newspaper. Action would be primarily against their dissemination but action against their places and means of production could not be precluded. This could involve raids on premises such as the CPG owner Commercial Press and the main newspapers, although without direct action against the newspapers themselves.

3。 I should be grateful for your views on the proposed promulgation of these emergency regulations and the possible action against the CPG owned Commercial Press and newspaper offices producing the Broadsheets. Such action appears less provocative than action against the remaining newspapers.

4.

Unless there is some early and fairly striking change in the Communist attitude, it is going to be very difficult to avoid eventual action against the newspapers themselves but in view of the present situation of our Mission in Peking we will try to hold off for as long as possible.

Commonwealth Office please pass to Washington as my telegram 283.

O.A.G.

Sent 09532/31 August 1967

Read 10222/31 August 1967

DEPARTMENTAL

DISTRIBUTION

C.O. H.K. & W.I.D. "C"

I.G.D.

News Dept.

F.O. F.E.D.

News Dept.

J.I.P.G.D.

J.I.R.D.

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