PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
BIEN
11 August 1993
BY FAX
MKD 384
ABOEIVER
12 AUG 1993
Foreign & Commonwealth
Office
London SWIA 2AH
Telephone: 071-
IN
J Ashton Esq
Political Adviser's Office
Government Secretariat
Hong Kong
Dear John,
LORRAIN OSMAN
1. We have learnt from recent press reports (copies enclosed)
that Lorrain Osman is due to be released from prison next week
and is expected to return to Britain thereafter. The last
report we received from Hong Kong was in June. A telegram
asking for an update is now in the system. The Home Office in
particular are anxious to find out whether there is any truth
in the report that Mr Osman intends to return to the UK.
2.
I am writing to you because the tenor of the articles I have faxed to you particularly that of the "Observer" piece
- is causing some concern here. The impression, fostered enthusiastically by Mr Osman's supporters in this country, is
that Osman was hard done by, made a scapegoat and most
outrageously not really guilty but forced into a plea bargain to gain release. This impression is rather reinforced
by the comments The Observer attributes to "a Hong Kong
-
ash.let.NAT
DBJ
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
21
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.