Cypher/Cat A
FLASH PEKING
ΤΟ
Telno 25
CONFIDENTIAL
FOREIGN OFFICE
7 January 1968
127
HW
CONFIDENTIAL
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 23 of 7 January, Repeated for information to Hong Kong, Washington, POLAD Singapore.
(12)
Hong Kong telegram No. 27 to Commonwealth Office;
Ta-Kung-Pao
My strong preference is that McGregor should be induced to abandon the case now. I am not impressed by sword of Damocles argument. The sword would hang not only over Ta-Kung-Pao but also over Sino-British relations since we know that attempts to enforce judgement against the paper would provoke a crisis.
2.
If McGregor cannot be induced to abandon the case now I should prefer the matter to be concluded (as proposed in paragraph 2 under reference) as quickly as possible. I hope that Hong Kong can ensure that interval between notice that McGregor is to proceed and statement by his Counsel is made as short as possible.
it is possible to give other side a hint in advance of likely statement by Counsel so much the better.
Foreign Office pass Flash Hong Kong 11, Priority to
Washington 5 and POLAD Singapore 8.
Sir D. Hopson
If
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