TNAG-0113-FCO40-149-Detainees-and-prisoners-following-19671968-disturbances-1969 — Page 80

Mr. Moreton

SECRET

Mr. Carter

Gambiara

K.271) PA, on soccorre file!

ARG

24/5.

2 x6

MR. ANTHONY GREY OF REUTERS

STATEMENT BY THE CHINESE CHARGE D'AFFAIRES ON 19 MAY

In the course of discussion at the Office on 19 May

about British subjects, Ma, the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires,

said that "if all the patriotic journalists were released

Grey's freedom of movement would be restored. The Chinese

Government means what it says. It is now up to the British

Government”. This is on the face of it an unequivocal and

formal assurance that the release of the eleven newsworkers

will result in the release of Mr. Grey, and thus goes beyond

the Chinese statement of last December. What is its signi-

ficance for the handling of the Grey case and in particular

what public use should we make of it?

CONCLUSIONS

2. I think that for practical purposes we can regard the

statement as a formal assurance that Mr. Grey will be released

if we release the eleven newsworkers. As far as the public

is concerned however I think we should merely treat it as a

confirmation of the basis on which we have already been

handling the case. We have so far tried not to involve

ourselves in public controversy about the meaning of the

December statement, which the public have tended to interpret

as a firm statement of a price for Mr. Grey.

1

Since, however,

SECRET

- 1

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY No.51

22 MAY 1969

HKK 1/1