FEN
FILE
STAMP
YEAR
1972
Zuf Ze
SECUR N.B. TH UPGRA
N.B. The grading of the j
H.M. DIPLOMATIC SERVICE
النيل ايه
1
SECRET
DEPT.
or POST
FAR EASTER
FILE NOFEH 14/1.
TITLE: RELEASE OF PRISONERS
(Part
Contents checked for transfer to
(Sad)
Date
)
D.RO.
як
5/9/14
CONVICTED FOR OFFENCES
DURING CONFRONTATION IN 1967/68 iN HONG KONG.
REFER TO
REFER TO
NAME
REFER TO
NAME
(and depi, when necessary)
<p> <span></span></p><!--more--><p></p>TO SEE:
DATE
(and dept when necessary)
TO SEE:
NAME
TO
DATE
DATE
(and dept, when necessary) SEE:
DO NOT RETAIN FILES AND PAPERS UNNECESSARILY
PART
RETURN THEM TO REGISTRY FOR BU. OR RA
PCO 21/1025
(N.B. The grading of this jachet most be the same on that of the highest
gradad document, contated in 11. The appropriate upgrading sky must be
affixed whenever necessary.)
SECRET
CLOSED UNTIL
2003
Registry Address
Room No.
271
King Charles Street.
YEAR STAMP
1972
CONFIDENTIAL
ба
$1
1/7
Somie remartes
interesting
by Cha
HKIOD.)
୮
gries?!! (18 check
Enici.
Consular Dept. R.E.
1
W
私
With the compliments of
J M Addis
THE BRITISH EMBASSY
R M Evans Esq
Far Eastern Department
FCO
below)
4/1.
Ө
18
Reference my telegram No 1377 of 11 December to FCO.
PEKING
has
I hope on a copy gone to Hong Kong.
12 December 1972
Рід
RECORD OF A MEETING BETWEEN H M AMBASSADOR AND ASSISTANT FOREIGN
MINISTER CHANG WEN-CHIN AT 2.30 pm ON SATURDAY 9 DECEMBER, 1972 AT THE
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Present:
HM Ambassador
Mr 1. J Richardson
HE Mr Chang wen-chin Mr Chang Yi-chun Mrs Kao Yu
EM Ambassador told the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs that he
had come to inform him of what had been decided in regard to the persons
imprisoned in Hong Kong for offences during the 1967 troubles. The
question had been considered in the light of the discussions during the
Secretary of State's visit. At that time there had been eight remaining
prisoners. One had since been released before the end of his sentence
and according to the usual procedure the Embassy had notified Consular
Department.
The Assistant Minister for Foreign Affaira said that he had heard about
that release, and that it was welcome news. hir Addis then said that it
had now been decided, in the interests of clemency and of Sino/British
relations, to release, in the period between now and early February,
three prisoners whose release was not due until the second half of 1974.
They would not be released together but on different dates before the
beginning of February.
This
2. Mr Chang thanked the Ambassador for this communication. He said he
thought that it represented a forward step in the promotion of relations
between the two countries. Er Addis said that he was glad that Mr Chang
had taken it in that way. was exactly the spirit in which the decision
had been made. Mr Chang said that after the release of these three, four
would stIII remain in prison. Could the Ambassador tell him what the
authorities' next step with the remaining four was likely to be? During
his discussions with the Fermanent Under Secretary, he had said that the
three British detainees in China and the eight Chinese in Hong Kong (who
were now seven) were all problems which had to be seen against the
background of the events of 1967. He hoped now that all these questions
could be solved. Of course the timing of various releases might have to
be arranged differently: some earlier, some later. But the ending of
these problems would facilitate relations between the two countries.
This was a question which had been discussed between the Premier and the
Secretary of State, between the Foreign Minister and the Secretary of
State, as well as between himself and the Fermanent Under Secretary. Mr
Addis replied that the British side also wished to have these problems
settled once and for all. But there were other considerations which had
to be taken into account. The four of whom Mr Chang spoke had all been
convicted of particularly violent crimes: they had perpetrated terrorist
acts of a kind of which the Chinese Government had expressed their
disapproval. He had particulars of the charges which had been laid
against them and which all
/involved
involved the throwing or placing of bombs and the killing and wounding
of innocent bystanders. One had thrown a bomb at a police party and
injured eleven people. The second was involved in a bomb-throwing
incident in the street in which three people had been killed and
thirty-eight injured. The third and fourth had both been concerned with
a bomb explosion. Despite the British side's desire, shared with Mr
Chang, to remove the obstacles to good relations, for the time being Mr
Chang, to remove the obstacles to goo clemency could not arise in these
cases. He could assure Mr Chang that the question had been thought
through very carefully. At the present time it had been decided that the
most that the British side could do was to release the three of whom he
had spoken, and as he had said, one prisoner had already been released
since the Secretary of State's visit.
3. Hr Chang thanked the Ambassador for his explanation. He understood
the British Government's and Hong Kong authorities' decision about the
release of the three, and that they could not make any further decision
about the remaining four at the present time. But it was his under-
standing that this did not exclude the possibility of clemency in their
case in the future. The Premier had reminded Sir Alec in discussion that
there were cases in China of people under sentence who were given
remission for good conduct. He realised that the Ambassador could tell
him no more now but was he correct in thinking that the possibility of
clemency was not excluded for the future? Mr Addis replied that he was
not authorised to give any assurance on the future of the four remaining
prisoners. The most he could say was that the review procedure which had
long been in operation would continue and that the matter would be kept
under constant attention. He added that insofar as the review procedure
was concerned, the remaining four cases were of course the most
difficult. He could however give an assurance that all that Mr Chang had
said would be carefully considered. Kr Chang said that he understood
this explanation. He did not want to enter into detailed discussions
about the concrete details concerning each individual. His general
feeling was that all this must be seen against the back- ground of the
mass movement in China in 1967 in which, as the Fremier had told the
Secretary of State, bad elements had operated as ultra- leftists and had
been responsible for agitation and incitement. This influence had
extended to Hong Kong and it was possible that the acta of these
individuals were not done with the deliberate intention of doing bad
things. The individuals might have been incited to act. Moreover the
acts did not meet with the approval of the Chinese Government. So,
generally speaking, the Chinese side hoped that the se matters could be
dealt with not as acts of individuals but as part of the general
problems that occurred against the background of 1967. He hoped that the
matters would be solved: he hoped that all those people would be
released early, putting an end to the problem. As had already been made
clear, the Chinese for their part were willing
to release the three Britone. But he realised that the Ambassador could
not go any further at the present time. He was grateful for the
information Mr Addis had given him, and hoped that he would continue to
use his influence to solve this matter. Mr Addis said that he would
report what Mr Chang had told him, and it would be given careful
consideration. Er Chang thanked the Ambassador. Their aime were the
same: to improve relations between the two countries. Each had their own
positions: what they looked for was co-operation.
I'm A
י
CONFIDENTIAL
88
TOP CÓP.
CYPHER/CAT A
F: HONG KONG 215-552
CONFIDENTIAL
86
TO POUTINE PEKING TELD 173 OF 21ST DECEMBER, 1972. INFO ROUTINE F.C.O.
YOUR TELNO 1377 TO FCO. CONFRONTATION PRISONERS, K
GRY MG 40
DEC NIZ
TA: FAT (ALIAS WONG YAU) WILL BE RELEASED ON 23 DECEMBER.
MACLEHOSE
[REPEATED AS REQUEDARD)
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUZION
FED
#.103
CONSULAR D
......5 2
RES D (FE SECT).
CONFIDENTIAL
Kill It
L
PRICRITY
CVR/CAT A
87
CONFIDENTIAL
TOR: COPY
HKD.
REGISTAN K
FM HONG KONG 191850Z
CONFIDENTIAL
1972
FEH Bil
TO PRIORITY FCO TELMO 1236 OF 19 DECEMBER INFO PRIORITY MOSCOW
ROUTINE PEKING.
YOUR TELNO 1111, PARA 3: SOVIET ESPIONAGE: WHAT TO DO WITH HO.
1. PROSECUTION, FURTHER EXAMINATION OF AVAILABLE MATERIAL, SINCE
DESPATCH OF MY TELNO 1890, ESTABLISHES THAT NO EVIDENCE OF ANY
CRIMINAL OFFENCE IS AVAILABLE ON WHICH PROSECUTION COULD DE
FOUNDED.
2. DEPORTATION TO CHINA, APPARANTLY IS A NON-STARTER (PEKING TELNO 1397
AND MY TELNO 1899 PARA 4(B)).
3. THIS FORCES ME BACK TO THE LINE PROPOSED IN MY TEL:0 1177,
1.F. REFUSAL OF PERMISSION TV LAND IF HONG KONG WHERE HIS PRESENCE
WOULD LEAD TO SOME EMBARRASSMENT. WE COULD TRY THIS AND SEE
KIAT HAPPENED.
4. ACCORDING TO OUR INFORMATION THE KAVALEROVO ARRIVED IN NAKHO DK A
ON 1 DECEMBER. SO IF WE ARE TO SEE HO AGAIN IT SHOULD BE SOON.
FCO PASS COPY TO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON,
MACLEHOSE
DEPAREMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
EESD
HKI OD
FED
PUS D
COPIES TO
HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE
6 GRAFTON ST.
CONFIDENTIAL
IMMEDIATE
CYPHER CAT A
FN PEKING 110930Z
CONFIDENTIAL
-
86
CONFIDENTIAL
TOP COPY
185
972
I
TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELEGRAMO 1277 CF 11 DECEMBER INFC IMMEDIATE
HONG KONG.
YOUR TELEGRAM NO 1113: CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.
1. I SPOKE AS INSTRUCTED TO ASSISTANT FOREIGN MINISTER CHANG
WEN-CHIN ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON 9 DECEMBER,
2. CHANG WELCOMED MY COMMUNICATION. HE BELIEVED THAT IN TAKING
THIS DECISION WE WERE SERVING THE CAUSE OF BETTER RELATIONS BETWEEN OUR
TWO COUNTRIES. HE WENT ON TO ASK ABOUT THE REMAINING FOUR PRISONERS. HE
SAID THAT THE PROBLEMS BOTH OF THE PRISONERS IN HONG KONG AND THE
BRITONS DETAINED IN CHINA WERE HANGOVERS
FROM 1958 AND NEEDED SOLVING ONCE AND FOR ALL.
I SAID THAT IN SPITE OF OUR DESIRE, WHICH WE SHARED WITH THE CHINESE, TO
SET THESE QUESTIONS OUT OF THE WAY, WE HAD TO TAKE OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
INTO ACCOUNT.
THE REARTHING FOUR HAD COVNMITTED THE SORT OF ACTO OF TERRORISH
OF WHICH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT EXPRESSED DISAPPROVAL.
I GAVE PRIEF PARTICULARS OF THE INCIDENTS IN WHICH THE FOUR HAD BEEN
INVOLVED, ( BASING MYSELF ON THE POLITICAL ADVISER'S MEMORANCUM OF 15
MAY) AND SAID THAT IN THEIR CASE FOR THE
TIME PEING THE QUESTION OF CLEMENCY DID POT ARISE,
CHANG SAID THAT HE REALISED THAT I COULD GIVE HIM NO MORE HIF- ORMATION
AT THE PRESENT TIME, PUT ASKED IF IT WOULD BE CORRECT TO UNDERSTAND THAT
CLEMENCY COULD ARISE IN THEIR CASES IN THE
FUTURE.
I REPLIED THAT WAS NOT AUTHORISED TO GIVE ANY ASSURANCE ON THE FUTURE:
ALL I COULD SAY WAS THAT THE REVIEW PROCEDURE WOULD
CONTIQUE, AS IT HAD IN THE PAST.
I ARDED THAT THESE CASES WERE CLEARLY THE MOST DIFFICULT PROBLEMS AS FAR
AS THE REVIEW PROCESS WAS CONCEAKED.
34 CHANG ARGUED THAT WE SHOULD CONSIDER SOTH THE CONFRONTATION PRISONPS
AND THE THREE DETAINED BRITONS AS PART OF A SET OF
PROFLENS PTHALMING FROM THE EVENTS OF 1967.
CONFIDENTIAL
/19 WAS
J
+
CONFIDENTIAL
IT WAS TIME TO WIPE THE SLATE CLEAN,
THE PARTICULARS OF THE
REMAINING CASES WERE NOT IMPORTANT: WE SHOULD LOOK AT THE WIDER
HE SAID THAT CUR AIMS WERE THE SAME, IE TO PEMOVE ALL CPSTACLES TO THE
IMPROVEMENT OF RELATIONS BETWEEN US,
QUESTION.
HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THESE PROBLEMS WOULD BE SOLVED AND THAT THE
REMAINING PRISONERS WOULD BE RELEASED EARLY, AND SAID THAT THE
CHINESE HAD DECLARED THEIR READINESS TO RELEASE
THE THREE BRITONS,
| THOUGHT IT BEST NOT TO REACT TO HIS REFERENCES TO THE THREE
BPITIONS AT ANY STAGE IN OUR DISCUSSION.
OUP DECISION ON THE CONFRONTATION PRISONERS HAS THUS BEEN
CONVEYED TO THE CHINESE AS A UNILATERAL GESTURE IN RESPONSE
TC THE REQUEST MADE TO YOU AND IN THE INTERESTS OF SINC/BRITISH
RELATIONS, AND THERE HAS BEEN NO SUCGESTION ON OUR SIDE OF A
BARGAIN OR SWAP.
ADDIS
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
FED
HKIOD
PUSD
CONS D NEWS D
2 -
CCHLIDENTIAT,
EN CLAIR
FM FCO 081800Z
UNCLASSIFIED
: J
TO COM
(FED)
83
384
TO ROUTINE PEKING TELNO 1113 OF 8 DECEMBER 1972 INFO HONG KONG.
MY TEL NO 1893 TO HONG KONG AND HONG KONG TELNO 1199.
PLEASE NOW TAKE ACTION AS INSTRUCTED IN MY TEL UNDER REFERENCE,
DOUGLAS-HOME
FILES
FED
HKIOD
MR WILFORD
P
PRIORITY
EN CLAIR
JUP COPY
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG 080520Z
UNCLASSIFIED
81
TO PRIORITY F C O TELNO 1199 OF 8TH DECEMBER, 1972 INFO PRIORITY
PEKING.
[ CONFRONTATION PRISONERS )
YOUR TELNO 1893. NO OBJECTION.
MACLEHOSE
[ PEPEATED AS - REQUESTED]
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
FED
HAIOD
I-USD
CONS D
NEWS D
CONFIDENTI AL
que
T
1
PRIORITY CYPHER/CAT A
FM F C 0 071908Z
CONFIDENTIAL.
CONFIDENTIAL
83
(FENY 144
80
1972
TO PRIORITY GOVERNOR HONG KONG TELNO 1893 OF 7 DECEMBER/INFO PEKING.
YOUR TELEGRAM NO 1192: CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.
1. IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO CARRY THE REVIEW BOARD WITH YOU WE
ARE CONTENT THAT YOU SHOULD SPREAD THE RELEASES AS YOU PROPOSE.
2. IN THAT CASE, UNLESS YOU SEE OBJECTION, WE SHOULD LIKE PEKING TO USE
THE FOLLOWING WORDING IN THEIR COMMUNICATION TO THE CHINESE: 'THE HONG
KONG GOVERNMENT HAVE DECIDED, IN THE INTERESTS OF CLEMENCY AND OF
SINO-BRITISH RELATIONS, TO RELEASE IN THE PERIOD BETWEEN NOW AND THE
CHINESE NEW YEAR THREE CONFRONTATION PRISONERS (NAMES) WHOSE RELEASE WAS
NOT DUE UNTIL THE SECOND HALF OF 1974'.
3. WE DO NOT THINK THAT ANY FURTHER MILEAGE CAN BE GAINED FROM
MENTIONING LAW LUN AGAIN.
DOUGLAS-HOME
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
FED
HKIOD
PUSD
CONS D
NEWS D
+
CONFIDENTIAL
Mr Wilford
CONFIDENTIAL
FG
1
CONFRONTATION FRISONERS
I submit a draft telegram in reply to Hong Kong telegrams
Wos 1192 and 1193.
7 December 1972
Gellark
GE Clark
Far Eastern Department
Tel. Despatched
CONFIDENTIAL
Mi.m
PRIORITY
CYPHER/CAT A
FM HONG KONG 3527427 ·
CONFIDENTÍ AL
81
CONFIDENTIAL
7 COPY
TO PRIORITY F C O TELNO 1193 OF 6TH DĚCES
M.1.P.T.
80
PERSONAL FOR WILFORD FROM MACLEHOSE.
Pat
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS PLANNING TO TAKE THE TEMPERATURE WITH THE
PRISONS REVIEW BOARD ABOUT ONE OR TWO OF THE REMAINING 4 PRISONERS EARLY
NEXT YEAR, I HAVE LITTLE FAITH IN AN OFFER OF DEPORTATION, EXCEPT AS A
TACTICAL MOVE, AND BELIEVE THAT WE SHALL PAVE TO TRY TO DISPOSE OF AS
MUCH OF THIS PROBLEM AS POSSIBLE, BY FEANS USED HITHERTO, BUT I HAVE
WANTED TO GET RID OF THE EASIER CASES BEFORE TACKLING THE REALLY
DIFFICULT ONES.
2. INCIDENTALLY THE CONCURRENCE OF THE PRISONS REVIEW BOARD WOULD IN
PRACTICE DE NECESSARY EVER FOR DEPORTATION.
3. THE FOREGOING, WHICH WILL NOT BE CIRCULATED MERE, EXPLAINS WHY I DO
NOT THINK IT WORTH RISKING THE CO-OPERATION OF THE REVIEW BOARD AT THIS
JUNCTURE.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
FED
HKI OD
RESEARCH DEPT (F E SECTION)
SIR D WATSON
SIR E NORRIS
MR WILFORD
PRIVATE SECRETARY
P.S./MR ROYLE
P.S./PUS
CONFIDENTIAL
FRIORITY
CYPHER/CAT A
CONFIDENTIAL
80
HONG KOʻ & 067642 Z
CONFIDENTIAL
TOP COPY
RECOVIC IN
R
L
TO PRIGRITY F C O TELO 1192 OF 6TH DECEMBER, 1972, INYO PRIGRITY
PEKING.
YOUR TELKO 1963: CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.
ki
THE OBJECTION TO SIMULTANEOUS, OR MEAR SIMULTANEOUS, RELEASE ON THE EVE
OF CHINESE NEW YEAR COULD BE THAT IT WOULD ATTRACT PRESS ATTENTION, AND
APPEAR GIFTACKY TO THE PRISONS REVIE, BOARD. THIS WOULD NOT MATTER MUCH
IN ITSELF, BUT IF THE RELEASE
+
WERE PRECEDED OR SUCCEEDED BY THE RELEASE OF THE
THREE BRITISH RENEGADES IN PEKING IT WOULD BE CLEAR TO ALL THAT
A SWAP HAD PEEN CONTRIVED AND THE BOARD WOULD FEEL ILL-USED,
2. THIS 14 TURN WOULD MAKE THE MARBLING OF THE CASES OF THE REMAINING 4
THAT MUCH MORE DIFFICULT, QUITE APART FROM THE PUBLIC CRITICISM OF THIS
GOVERNMENT THAT WOULD RESULT.
3. IF THE PROCEDURE ! HAVE SUGGESTED WERE FOLLOWED THERE IS MUCH LESS
LIKELIHOOD OF PUBLIC INTEREST, BUT IF THERE HERE ANY, A SWAP COULD BE
DENIED MORE PLAUSIBLY.
4. 1 AM SUPPRISED THAT YOU BELIEVE THERE WOULD BE SUCK SIGNIFICANT
DIFFERENCE FOR THE CHINESE BETWEEN A SIMULTANEOUS RELEASE AND RELEASES
SPREAD OVER SIX WEEKS, PROVIDED THEY ARE TOLD ASOUT THEM ALTOGETHER IN
ADVANCE.
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]
MACLEHOSE
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION:
FED
KIOD
CONSULAR DEPT
NEWS DEFT
RES DET (FE SEC) PUSD
CONFIDENTIAL
·
Mr_wford
CONFIDENTIAL
A, B
C
A 4
E
no
CONFRONTATION PRISONERS
1. We spoke about challenging the Governor's assumptions
about the releases due next Spring.
2. I submit a draft telegram. In addition to the reference
telegrams you will wish to glance at our instruction telegram
(No 1097 to Peking), the planned dates of the releases
(enclosure to the Governor's letter of 6 July) and Mr Morgan's
letter of 28 November to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Gellark
5 December 1972
GE Clark
Far Eastern Department
telegram
I have respetcled the
do not think Mi Morgan's
letter was very cleverly
warded
CONFIDENTIAL
ли
Az
Enter + p-a
好
5/12
79
PRIORITY
CYPHER/CAT A
FM FC 0 3513457
CONFIDENTIAL.
+
CONFIDENTIAL
TO PRIORITY GOVERNOR HONG KON
INFO PEXINS.
78
14
TOP COPY
TELEGRAM NU-DER 1963 OF 5 DECEMBER, 1972
YOUR TELEGRAMS MOS 1537 AND 1182 : CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.
1. WE HAD CERTA!!LY ASSUMED THAT THE OFFER TO BUNCH THE RELEASE BEFORE
CHINESE NEW YEAR OF THE THREE PRISOLERS DUE MEXT SPRING BEANT THAT THEY
WOULD BE RELEASED /ORE OR LESS TOGETHER JUST BEFORE THE FESTIVAL. THEY
COULD BE SPREAD OVER TWO OF THREE DAYS IF YOU PREFERRED, BUT IT SEEMS
DOUBTFUL HETHER A SERIES OF RELEASES STAGGERED OVER A LOIGER PERIOD
WOULD HAVE THE SAME IMPACT ON THE CHINESE, WHICH IS THE AF OF THE
EXERCISE, MOR WOULD THE CONNEXION WITH CHIRESE NEW YEAR BE SO OBVIOUS IF
THE RELEASES WERE TOO MUCH IN ADVANCE OF THE DATE.
2.
UNLESS YOU SEE STRONG OBJECTION TO RELEASE IN A BATCH WE SHOULD PREFER
THAT.
2. WE ALSO FAVOUR CONCENTRATION ON THE THREE PRISONERS TO THE EXCLUSION
OF LAW LUN, WHOSE RELEASE HAS ALREADY BEEN NOTIFIED TO THE CHIMESE.
APART FROM ANYTHING ELSE IT WOULD HAVE THE HERIT OF MAKING THE NUMBER OF
RELEASES TO WHICH LE SHALL DRAV ATTENTION EQUAL TO THE NUMBER OF BRITISH
DETAINEES IN CHINA, THOUGH WE DO ĮKOT PATEND THAT THIS POINT SHOULD BE
MADE,
I
IF YOU AGREE WE SHOULD PREFER TO STICK TO THE ORIGINAL WORDING PROPOSED
FOR THE COMMUNICATION TO THE CHINESE, WHICH WAS PHRASED DELIBERATELY NOT
TO MENTION THE EXISTENCE OF THE REMAINING LONG.
TERA PRISONERS.
LOUGLAS-HO E
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
FED
HK100
PUSD
CONSULAR D
NEWS D
CONFIDENTIAL
PRIORITY
CONFIDENTIAL
DYPHER/CAT A
FM HONG KONG 625440 Z
CONFIDENTIAL
TO PRIORITY F C O TELNO 1182 OF 2ND PEKING.
►
%
YOUR TELEGRAM NUMBER 1297 TO PEKTI!G1|
CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.
ADOO DOLL
1972. NİFO PRIORITY
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.