'CYPHER/CAT A
CONFIDENTIAL
PRIORITY FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE.
TELEGRAM NUMBER 557.
TOP COPY
TO HONG KONG.
21 AUGUST 1969.
(F.E.D.)
161
CONFIDENTIAL.
ADDRESSED TO HONG KONG TELEGRAM NUMBER 557 OF 21 AUGUST REPEATED
FOR INFORMATION TO PEKING.
YOUR TELEGRAM NUMBER 658: ARREST OF COMMUNIST TRADE UNION OFFICIAL.
IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT THIS AFFAIR SHOULD HAVE COME TO A HEAD JUST
NOW. WE HAD BEEN HOPING THAT THINGS MIGHT PASS OFF QUIETLY AND
UN CONTROVERSIALLY IN HONG KONG UNTIL THE TIME COMES IN OCTOBER FOR
THE CHINESE TO FULFIL THEIR UNDERTAKING OVER GREY.
2. AT THE STAGE WHICH THE CASE OF NG YEE HAS REACHED, WE PRESUME THAT
THERE IS NOW NO ALTERNATIVE TO LETTING THE LAW TAKE ITS COURSE. IS
THERE ANY CHANCE THAT THE VERDICT AND SENTENCE MIGHT BE DELAYED UNTIL
AFTER MID-OCTOBER.
3. WE FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT PERSONS STILL WANTED FOR SERIOUS OFFENCES
COMMITTED DURING THE TROUBLES OF 1967 MUST INEVITABLY PRESENT YOU
WITH A PROBLEM. IN THE INTERESTS OF ENSURING A PROPER RESPECT FOR
THE LAW IN THE COLONY, IT IS ADMITTEDLY UNDESIRABLE TO LET OFFENDERS
GO UNPUNISHED PARTICULARLY IF IT WERE TO BECOME EVIDENT THAT THE
POLICE HAD HAD OPPORTUNITIES TO ARREST THEM BUT HAD FAILED TO DO SO.
ON THE OTHER HAND IF THEY ARE ARRESTED AND, IN VIEW OF THE SERIOUSNESS OF THEIR OFFENCES, THEY RECEIVE HEAVY SENTENCES, THIS
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RCEIVED IN
22 AUG 1969
HXX 14/37
CONFIDENTIAL
LAST
13
REF.
NEXI
REF.
20
/WILL ADD
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