TNAG-0077-FCO40-113-Action-against-Communist-press-1967 — Page 66

CONFIDENTIAL

Cypher/Cat A

PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE

Te

1068

14 August 1967

Ę

CONFIDENTIAL

Addressed to F.0. telegram No. 1068 of 14 August Repeated for information to:

Hong Kong.

Hong Kong telegram No. 517 to me.

Grey of Reuters has now been under house arrest for over three weeks. The last indication of how we intend to tackle the problem of effecting his release was given in C.O. telegram No. 1505 to Hong Kong. Your telegram No. 645 to me and subsequent communications from Reuters indicate that they are not prepared to do anything. I should emphasise that if nothing is done Grey will remain under house arrest at any rate as long as any NCNA correspondents are still in prison in Hong Kong.

2. As you will have seen from Hong Kong telegram under-reference the two other NCNA reporters should be out of prison at any rate within a week. There is a fourth who comes up for trial I believe on 21 August. I presume we are waiting to see what happens to him before taking a decision on deportations. I hope the arrest of other Chinese newspapermen will not complicate matters.

3. On the feasibility of deportation, I realise that in normal circumstances forcible deportation to China is not usually insisted upon. However, in this particular case, provided the Chinese authorities are prepared to accept the deportees, I can see no (repeat no) reason for not carrying it through. After all they can hardly be in fear of political reprisals and would be more likely to be treated as heroes.

4. If we are going to do a deal with the Chinese on the basis of deportation, then I think we should try to fix it at the earliest. possible moment, as there is always a chance that another NCNA journalist will be put inside sooner or later, thus postponing every- thing indefinitely. Secondly I think we must get it confirmed by Reuters that they would wish Grey to leave China immediately after his house arrest had been lifted and that his exit visa etc. should be made part of the bargain. I think it essential that he should leave, or he will be permanently at risk as a potential hostage.

5.

I should be grateful for an early indication of your views. There is still no news on access to Grey.

F.0. pass Hong Kong as my telegram No. 710.

Mr. Hopson

Sent 0542Z 14 August

Recd 07552 14 August

[Repeated as requested]

DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION

الا

F.0.

F.E.D. News Dept.

J.I.P.G.D.

J.I.R.D.

C.O.

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

CONFIDENTIAL

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