TNAG-0109-FCO40-145-Detainees-and-prisoners-following-19671968-disturbances-1968 — Page 141

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(D)

WE REGULARLY REVIEW THOSE IN DETENTION AND RELEASE THEM AS SOON AS WE JUDGE THEM TO BE NO LONGER A THREAT SEMICOLON

(E) PUBLIC OPINION IN HONG KONG HAS NOT BEEN CRITICAL OF THE USE OF EMERGENCY REGULATIONS. IN FACT THERE HAS BEEN SOME SURPRISE THAT LAST YEAR'S CONFRONTATION LED TO THE DETENTION OF ONLY. 52.

4. INFORMATION ABOUT

IN PARAGRAPH 3 OF YOUR TELEGRAM UNDER REFERENCE IS GENERALLY CORRECT.

BUT HAS NEVER PRACTISED LAW. HE HAS BEEN IN HONG KONG ABOUT TWO YEARS. EARLIER THIS YEAR HE WROTE AN UNHELPFUL ARTICLE ABOUT THE EMERGENCY LEGISLATION FOR THE FAR EAST ECONOMIC REVIEW. HE ALSO CRITICISED THE EMPLOYMENT BILL AND THE HONG KONG COURTS. IN MARCH 1967 HE SIGNED A LETTER TO THE EUROPEAN PRESS DENOUNCING THE VIETNAM WAR. HE IS IDEALISTIC AND NAIVE IN HIS POLITICAL ATTITUDES, BUT NOT A COMMUNIST.

5. AS WE ARE BEING ASKED QUESTIONS HERE ABOUT REAR'S LETTER, I SHOULD BE GLAD TO KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WHAT LINE YOU ARE TAKING. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE MAIN OBJECTIVE SHOULD BE TO AVOID AS FAR AS WE CAN THIS SUBJECT BECOMING A MATTER OF PUBLIC DISCUSSION.

FCO PLEASE PASS IMMEDIATE PEKING.

SIR D. TRENCH.

FILES

H.K. DEPT.

FAR EASTERN DEPT

NEWS DEPT

PRIVATE SECRETARY SIR J. JOHNSTON

REPEATED AS REQUESTED

ADVANCE COPIES SENT ·

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CONFIDENTIAL