GPS444A
/MMEDIATE
CONFIDENTAL,
AKA 412/39374
*
20 MAR 1978
•
15
CYPHER CAT A
FM MANILA 280200Z
CONFIDENTIAL
TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELNO 058 OF 20 MARCH.
FOR PRIVATE SECRETARY TO LORD GORONWY ROBERTS FROM BACON
on Taken
1. DURING HIS DISCUSSIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR AT HONG KONG AIRPORT
LORD GORONWY ROBERTS SPOKE CLOSELY TO THE BRIEF SUBMITTED BY JOHN
STEWART ON 15 MARCH.
2. ON THE YAU MA TEI CORRUPTION CASE THE GOVERNOR EXPRESSES
CONFIDENCE THAT THE INITIAL 143 CASES WOULD BE DEALT WITH
EXPEDITIOUSLY BUT WAS CONCERNED THAT SUBSEQUENT CASES WOULD BE MESSY
AND PROTRACTED. AS CASES PROGRESSED WITNESSES WOULD WITHDRAW.
CONSEQUENTLY AS CASES BEGAN TO FAIL THE POLICE CFFICER'S
ASSOCIATION WOULD PRESS FOR THE REINSTATEMENT OF THOSE DISMISSED
UNDER CR 55. HE WAS PERSONALLY PREPARED STRONGLY TO RESIST THIS
PRESSURE, EMPHASISING THE DRUG CONNECTION. THE GOVERNOR WAS
CONFIDENT THAT THE PUBLIC WOULD SUPPORT HIM IN HONG KONG BUT HE WAS
CONCERNED ABOUT REACTION FROM E G AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AND
MAINLY EXPATRIATE ELEMENTS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION IN HONG KONG.
THE MINISTER OF STATE SAW NO DIFFICULTY IN TAKING A ROBUST LINE
WITH AMNESTY. HE ASSURED THE GOVERNOR THAT HE WOULD RECOMMEND A
TOTALLY FOR THRIGHT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT IF SIR MURRAY CONSIDERED
THIS WOULD BE HELPFUL. THE GOVERNOR WAS GRATEFUL BUT THOUGHT
THAT IF THE QUESTION OF PROPRIETY OF ACTION UNDER CR55 AROSE WE
COULD REST FOR A WHILE ON FACT THAT SOME CASES WOULD BE
SUBJUDICE. HE WOULD, HOWEVER, BEAR MINISTER'S OFER TO EXPRESS
PUBLIC SUPPORT VERY MUCH IN MIND AND ASK FOR IT IF NEED FOR QUICK
ACTION AROSE.
3.SIR MURRAY SAID THAT HE HAD FOUND JAMES, CRANE'S VISIT OF EXTREME
VALUE. HE WAS KEEN TO APPOINT A NEW DEPUTY CHIEF OF POLICE, AN
CUTSIDER WITH A TOTALLY. FRESH APPROACH. CRANE HAD SUGGESTED, AND
CONFIDENTAL
/WOULD
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