TNAG-0292-FCO40-328-Disturbances-in-Hong-Kong-bomb-attacks-and-threats-1971 — Page 20

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

indicated that this was entirely a matter for the Embassy to deal wj.th.

4. In addition to what is set cut in their letter, they wished me to emphasise to "the British Government" that the "Chinese peoples" would not stand for "British Police Brutality" or for a situation in which "the population of Hong Kong was deprived of the basic freedoms known in Britain." Their principal concern in relation to this last point appeared to be existence and use of laws against assembly. The most unpleasant of the visitors asked me to specifically warm my government that "the safety of British people in Hong Kong was at stake." On leaving, one of the group left with me the enclosed Chinese language newspaper which, I am told, reports what happened on 7 July. (Incidentally, as the trio got up to leave, I noticed that their principal spokesman, a Mr. Tsai, was holding beneath a sort of cover and other paraphernalia what looked suspiciously like a small tape recorder. Whether or not he had recorded our discussion, I simply cannot say, and I -chose not to go into the matter). The group went back to the Civic Centre Plaza presumably to report to the rest of the demon-

Their strators what had transpired in the Consulate-General. meeting broke up at about 2:15 pm.

5. Just as there was little public interest in the demonstration, so there was little press or radio interest. Tvo stations sent reporters to see me. One of these, representing the local CBS station, left with me a copy of a letter to the Governor of Hong Kong which had been sent to CBS by the organisers together with a hand-out entitled "British Brutality in Hong Kong". Copies of these are also enclosed.

6. We would be very glad to know in due course what reply, if any, is sent to the various letters which are now passed to you or, alternatively, what line should be taken in reply to further questioning. I dare say the organisers will begin pestering us for some sort of response within a few weeks.

GWJ:1d enclosures

Couss ever,

Gorda

G. W. Jewkes

Jewkes.

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