TNAG-2605-FCO40-3793-Detention-of-Hong-Kong-residents-in-China-1992 — Page 85

of religious detainees during his visit to China last

Mr Parry was unaware of Sir Geoffrey Howe's

Autumn. mission.

.

5. Turning to Korea Mr Parry said that he thought he was the only MP to have observed the 38th parallel from both sides of the border. His impression was that Kim Il Sung was a sort of "benevolent Uncle" and was respected by the North Koreans. The same was not true of his son who might be a

source of trouble in the future. Mr Good lad obser ved that other Communist countries in the region, eg Vi et nam, were certainly coming out into the world. But North Korea was moving much more slowly; a change of leadership was

probably necessary before there could be real progress.

6. Finally, Mr Parry said that he had received some details of some trade union activists in China whose cases gave him concern. Mr Goodlad invited him to send the details to us.

FAR EASTERN DEPARTMENT

12 JUNE 1992

Distribution: -

PS

PS/Mr Goodlad

Sir J Coles

Mr Hum

PRU

FED

HKD

Sir R McLaren/ PEKING

J H2AAK