TNAG-0110-FCO40-146-Detainees-and-prisoners-following-19671968-disturbances-1968 — Page 110

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b)

c)

a)

The Peking authorities continue to be under pressure from

the local communists to obtain a price in Hong Kong for

Mr. Grey.

Met by firmness on our part, the Peking authorities,

embarrassed by the consequences of holding on to Mr. Grey,

might possibly be prepared to override the views of the

local communists and not attempt to obtain a price for

his release.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, now apparently

less involved in the throes of the Cultural Revolution,

may be prepared to look at matters in a more pragmatic way(c.f.

f. the recent approach to the Americans about talks)

This should increase the chances of an objective review

of the embarrassments to the Chinese of continuing

the

publicity about/detention of Mr. Grey. On the other hand

we must accept that even on rational analysis they might

conclude that pressures are building up against us and

that, by hanging on to Mr. Grey, they will in the long

run obtain a substantive concession in Hong Kong.

Possible Courses of Action

7. If the Chinese are for the time being prepared to keep

Mr. Grey indefinitely as a hostage there are two possible ways

of bringing about a break in events: by action against the

Chinese here or by paying a price in Hong Kong.

8.

Action against the Chinese here would in effect mean the

harrassment or expulsion of the N.C.N.A. (an idea which has

/ recently

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