as a firm assurance or not; and since with the Chinese
one should certainly not be sure of anything we should
probably have to make some reservation which the Chinese
might choose to regard as oasting doubts on their good faith.
(c.f. Ma's defensive remark that "the Chinese Government means
what it says"). Accordingly in commenting in yesterday's
Parliamentary reply and to the press on Ma's visit, we have
not let it be known there was any new development; and I
would propose that when in future we are asked by the press
or in Parliament about Chinese intentions we should confine
ourselves to a general statement that the Chinese have
indicated to us that they would release Mr. Grey when the
newsworkers were released in Hong Kong. I think however
that we should inform Mrs. Grey prefereably by telephone that
Ma's visit has reinforced our view that the Chinese will let
her son out on the release of the eleven; and that we should
explain the circumstances fully to Mr. Long of Reuters.
Copies to: Mr. Baker
Sir A. Galsworthy
Mr. Carter
(James Murray)
20 May, 1969.
Kr. Haydon
SECRET
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