TNAG-0751-FCO40-955-Visit-of-Lord-Goronwy-Roberts--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-1978 — Page 3

OPS4ARA

DIAME

CONFIDENTAL

CYPHER CAT A

FM MANILA 286200Z

LAST PAPER

CONFIDENTIAL

#KK0269.

1978

7/4

zon

TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELNO 058 OF 20 MARCH.

FOR PRIVATE SECRETARY TO LORD GORONWY ROBERTS FROM BACON

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 145 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 OFFICER'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.

AN

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 CUTSIDER WITH A TOTALLY. FRESH APPROACH. CRANE HAD SUGGESTED, AND

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