TNAG-0839-FCO40-1048-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-China-1979 — Page 34

CONFIDENTIAL

466

r Tyrer, OID

жак одо DAVAD IN Rtod.

20 JUL 1979

020!

20. 51

Y

Akon

N.

MEETING BETWEEN MR MCLAREN, HKGD, AND MR WEA

1.

Mr McLaren, Head of HKGD, saw Mr Walter Easey, Secretary, Hong Kong Research Project, at 11.00 am yesterday at his request. Mr Easey was a member of the Royal Hong Kong Police during the mid- sixties until his resignation from the Force. Later he studied for four years at the School of Oriental and African Studies, since when he has been the major force behind the Hong Kong Research Froject. According to the Hong Kong Government Office, London, the Project concerns itself with agitating for political and social reform in Hong Kong. It has published pamphlets and received a grant of 4,000 from the World Council of Churches to cover research on 'racism in Hong Kong'.

2.

fr Easey's main stated intention in asking for a meeting was to show Mr McLaren a copy of a cable (attached) he had received from the USS inviting him to attend the International Seminar of Young Researchers on Cooperation in the Pacific to be held in Nakhodka from 1 to 18 August. The cable was signed by a Victor Fersht who Mr Easey believes may well have KGB connections. hr Lasey was of the opinion that he has been invited so that the Soviets could be certain of having a non-Soviet at the Seminar who would criticise China; Mr Easey said he had no intention of fulfilling these expectations of him. In the past Fersht has sent him Soviet publications on liong Kong which Mr Lasey described as being aimed solely at the kepublic of China and 'devoid of scientific merit', an opinion which he claims to have communicated to Fersht. However, following ir Lasey's appearance on kussian television (no explan- ation given) he received invitations to the 14th Pacific Science Congress, and now to the International Seminar. He has decided to accept the latter but would be grateful for any briefing the FCC could provide. On his return he would be more than willing to be debriefed by anyone with an interest in the International Seminar.

3. I leave it to you and the other recipients of this minute to decide whether you wish to take this matter further. I shall be happy to provide further information on Mr Easey or what was said at yesterday's meeting if you believe this would be helpful.

NA Ling

Hong Kong and General Department K242

233 3988

20 July 1979

cc:

Mr Crow, EESD

Mr Fursland, FED

PUSD

Also cofuid to L. Kay /

Kay / Research

Deft.

CONFIDENTIAL