25.3
SECRET
Sir A. Galsworthy Lord Shepherd
K. 271 PA.
Mr. Anthony Grey of Reuters7
I agree with this submission and Mr. Murray's conclusion.
다
HKU 1/12
ANG
25/6/69
I am sure our capacity to continue to govern Hong Kong and to
keep faith with the Chinese there must be the over-riding consideration, both in moral terms, because of our responsibility for the welfare of the population in Hong Kong, and in economic terms, to the degree we benefit from the prosperity which Hong Kong enjoys, which is dependent on continuing internal confidence in our will to govern and to stand firm under Chinese pressure. We have told the Chinese quite unequivocally over a long period that we will not suspend the rule of law by releasing To do so now would convicted prisoners in response to blackmail.
be to throw away all we have gained from this firmness and to heighten the Chinese victory, since they would not only have got us to do their bidding, but to do it after we had said we would not, and when we were within sight of having sat it out with them over Grey. And I believe, far from attracting acclaim, we might be very seriously criticised on the grounds that if it were possible to release prisoners now, then they could have been released earlier, and that we had therefore unnecessarily prolonged the restrictions on Mr. Grey by our own indecision.
I& Lunston
(J.B. JOHNSTON) 20.6.69.
:
Copy to:
Private Secretary
Mr. Baker
Sir T. Brimelow
Mr. Carter
Mr. Giffard Mr. Muumbay
836637
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.