CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 406
OF 04050OZ FEBRUARY 89
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING
CONFIDENTIAL
нко 306/2
15
060011
MDHIAN 1172
TOP COPY Q DIST ?
MY TELNO 397: FILM CENSORSHIP : IF I WERE FOR REAL
1
LI RUOHE OF NCNA TELEPHONED POLITICAL ADVISER LATER IN MORNING
OF 4 FEBRUARY TO GIVE FOLLOWING RESPONSE ON INSTRUCTIONS
FROM HIS LEADERSHIP:
(A) THE NCNA NOTED THAT THERE HAD BEEN DISCUSSIONS WITH PA'S
OFFICE ON THIS FILM IN THE PAST. THEY HAD APPRECIATED THE HKG'S
ACTION IN BANNING THE FILM THEN.
(B) THEY NOTED THAT THE HKG HAD CHANGED THEIR POSITION. THEY
EXPRESSED REGRET AT THIS.
(C) THEY HOPED THAT THE HKG WOULD EXERCISE PRUDENCE IN HANDLING THE
CASE.
2. P.A. UNDERTOOK TO REPORT COMMENTORY:
I) CIRCUMSTANCES, INCLUDING THE NEW LEGISLATION, HAD CHANGED SINCE PREVIOUS DECISIONS WERE TAKEN.
II) CHINESE SIDE WOULD APPRECIATE IMPORTANCE WE HAD ATTACHED, IN MAKING OUR DECISION, TO NEED FOR REGARD TO RIGHT OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN TERMS OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS. THIS WAS ESPECIALLY RELEVANT IN LIGHT OF PROVISIONS
OF JOINT DECLARATION.
COMMENT
3. LI DID NOT EXPAND ON HOW WE SHOULD EXERCISE PRUDENCE (1(C) ABOVE). IT SEEMS LIKELY THAT NCNA WILL FELL THIS ACTION WILL BE
ADEQUATE FOR THE MOMENT. AT ANY RATE UNTIL AFTER THE HOLIDAY.
WILSON
YYYY
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