CONFIDENTIAL
81A
Note for discussions with the Governor of Hong Kong; 13 December 1968
Convicted Confrontation Prisoners
confrontation.
Annex A to this note sets out the general position, as at
the end of 1968, as regards convicted prisoners now serving
sentences for offences in connection with last year's Communist
It also indicates the expected pattern of releases.
2. Annex B sets out the particulars of those thirteen convicted
prisoners who are generally referred to as "newspaper workers".
3. The "demands" made by the Chinese during last year's
confrontation included the release both of detainees and of convicted
prisoners serving sentences for offences connected with confrontation.
It is clear that the Chinese attach considerable importance to these
particular demands; but the release of convicted prisoners
prematurely before they have served their full sentences (less earned
remission) would give rise to serious problems. It would constitute
an interference with judicial processes and would form a dangerous
precedent of which the Chinese might well seek to take advantage
on some future occasion. In addition, it would undoubtedly be
interpreted by the Chinese and by public opinion in Hong Kong as
a sign of weakness; and as such it could well affect general
confidence in the colony and erode the authority of the Hong Kong
Government.
Hong Kong Department
December, 1968.
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