Would you be so kind as to have a copy of this
note passed to Mr. Royle.
This would make it canine for
the Chime to take there people
back it
дат Having deportation.
Kan!
The age of
CONFIDENTIAL
Meup Roberts
(D.T.E Roberts) Attorney General.
14.11.72.
[
1
PRIORITY
EN CLAIR
(FE) 4X
棍
FM FCO 2719157
UNCLASSIFIED
TO PRIORITY GOVERNOR HONG KONG TELEGRAM NUMBER 1972 OF 27 NOVEMBER 1972.
YOUR TELEGRAM NO 1162,
12 SINCE THE QUESTION IS FOR ANSWER ON 29 NOVEMBER WE HAVE AMENDED 8 TO
READ 7*
2
SEE MY TEL NO 1978
DOUGLAS-HOME
FILES:
FED
HKIOD
HR WILFORD
:
+
-
72
Kakkari atas Season 2+k",
I
I
NOTHING TO BE WRITTENJIN THIS MARGIN
Registry No.
DEPARTMENT
FE
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret
Secret
* Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should
reach addressco(a).
27/
PRIORITY MARKINGS
(Date)....
Despatched
------------ IN
Confidential
Restricted
Unclassified.
Flash
Immediate }"
Priority Routine
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
En Clair. Code Cypher
Draft Telegram to:-
Gover for
Hong Kong Hong Kong 1012
(Date)
And to:-
27/11
[Secu
Security classification -if any
ion]
UNCLASSIFIED 719152
[
Privacy marking --if any
1
[Codeword-if any]
GOVERNOR HONG KONG
Addressed to
**I d
telegram No.
And to.....
repeated for information to
Repeat to:-
Saving to....
Your telegram No 1161
1.
(date)
Since the question is for answer on 29 November
we have amended 8 to read 7.
2.
Sec
.my
tel no 1070.
Saving to:-
Q
Distribution:
File,
FED
квасва
HK,OD.
Copies to:-
271845
zlu
SECRET
Mr Evans
Mr Wilford
agree.
Mr Logan/
Private Seonat
і
A.R.
R
ÝCH 14/1 YEH
Enter
CONFRONTATION PRISONERS IN HONG KONG AND BRITISH DETAINEES
IN CHINA
'가
We kunk stop complaining. The Keres
are not worth
PROBLEM
1. Chou En-lai assured the Secretary of State during his
visit to Peking that the three remaining British detainees
would be released, but both he and Chang Wen-chin expressed
the hope that the confrontation prisoners in Hong Kong might
also be released. We need to find a way of demonstrating our
good faith without giving rise to domestic criticism here or
in Hong Kong that we have swapped convicted criminal elements
for the British detainees.
ARGUMENT
2. It seems clear that so long as we complain about the
British detainees the Chinese will respond with complaints
about the confrontation prisoners. They will perhaps endeavour
to make the release of the British subjects dependent on the
release of all the confrontation prisoners.
thee Vouth!3.
A.R
Only seven of the men convicted during the Confrontation
troubles in Hong Kong in 1967 remain in prison. Another has
just been released, on 28 November. Of those who remain,
three have sentences which will come to an end in February-
April 1973. The last four have much longer sentences and
1
SECRET
/as they
SECRET
as they were convicted of more serious crimes any act of
clemency towards them would be more difficult.
4.
Arising out of interest generated by the Secretary of
State's visit there has been some sharp criticism in Hong
Kong of the possibility of a swap. The Governor is therefore
anxious to avoid any action which could openly be construed
88 such. At the same time he has suggested that if it would
help the plight of the detained Britons to bring forward the
releases scheduled for next spring (on 24 February, 4 March
and 15 April) and to bunch them together just before Chinese
New Year (4 February) he would be willing to do so, on
condition that it should be done unilaterally and uncondition-
ally. The Chinese could be informed now that this was our
intention.
Chinese
5. This is a good suggestion. The reductions in the
sentences involved are marginal but the impact of the
accelerated releases will be considerably higher.
New Year is a feast of great symbolic importance, and has
figured previously as a target date in Chinese enquiries
about the Confrontation prisoners. If we inform the Chinese
now this will give them plenty of time to reflect on how to
respond. The Governor originally suggested that we should
tell them of our intentions when informing them of the release
due on 28 November in order to secure maximum impact. There
seemed however to be no disadvantage in doing it separately.
The number of prisoners now involved corresponds exactly with
the number of detained British subjects. Moreover a second
/approach
2
SECRET
bd
SECRET
approach from our side to the Chinese provides continuing
evidence that we are seeking to deal with the problem, which
is what they seem to want before they will release the three
British subjects.
6. There may be a problem over the four hard core cases who
will remain. The Governor has suggested that in the last
resort we might contemplate attempting deportation to China.
It is not necessary to make up our minds about that now. We
should first wait to see if the present gesture succeeds in
prompting the release of the three British subjects.
RECOMMENDATION
7. I therefore recommend that we should agree to the
Governor's helpful suggestion and submit a draft telegram to
Peking instructing them to inform the Chinese MFA of our
intentions.
8. I have discussed this with the Head of HKIOD who agrees
HM Embassy Peking are also in
with the recommendation.
favour of the Governor's suggestion.
CC:
Mr Stuart HKIOD
28 November 1972
Gellark
GE Clark
Far Eastern Department
I agree. R.M. Evans
29 November, 1972.
C
3
SECRET
/I
I fully agree.
On
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2.
point of detail
in
in respect of the last 4
the Attorney General
born
China
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which would
been born
has confined that
are thus open to deportation
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as I have been the case if they had
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Kun Wilford
all
four
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Mr Hervey
Mr Wilford
CONFIDENTIAL
70
CONFRONTATION PRISONERS IN HONG KONG
The Governor of Hong Kong has indicated that he would be
prepared to advance the release of three of the remaining
confrontation prisoners in Hong Kong to the eve of the next
Chinese New Year (ie 4 February 1973) if this would help in
establishing a favourable atmosphere for the Chinese to act
on the three remaining British detainees in China. He
suggested that we should tell the Chinese in advance.
telegram No 1148 of 24 November points out that another
prisoner, Law Lun, is due for release on 28 November and that
some impact may be lost if we do not use this occasion for
the advance notice of the earlier release of the three.
His
(It is not clear whether the Governor originally contemplated
postponing Law's release, but if he did he no longer wishes
to do so.)
2. The Department will submit further on the point of
there is advantage in the Governor's proposal.
substance:
On the presentational point, the impact of informing the
Chinese of the earlier bunching of the releases next Spring
is unlikely to be adversely affected by making it the subject
of a separate demarche. Indeed it could be increased. The
number of individuals concerned on both sides would correspond
exactly; the symbolic meaning of Hong Kong's gesture would
1
CONFIDENTIAL
/be more
CONFIDENTIAL
be more obvious; moreover there would be two communications
to the Chinese Government, and two actions by Hong Kong,
which would underline the point that the process of defusing
the issue of confrontation prisoners continues and will
continue.
3. In these circumstances there seems no need to ask the
Governor to hold up the release of Law Lun. I submit a
draft telegram.
4.
HKIOD agree.
CC:
Mr Evans HKIOD
27 November 1972
Fellark
GE Clark
Far Eastern Department
2
CONFIDENTIAL
1
egree
271x
A revised tel was sent.
Enter
27/4
..FIDENTIAL
+
PHEN/CAT A
FM HONG KONG 241006Z
CONFIDENTIAL
TO PRIORITY FCO TELNO 1148 OF 24TH NOVEMBER, 1972. INFO PRIORITY PEKING.
MY TELNO 151 TO PEKING.
PERHAPS I SHOULD HAVE EXPLAINED THAT IT WOULD BE RATHER DIFFICULT TO
POSTPONE LAW'S RELEASE. CONSEQUENTLY IF THE PROPOSAL IN PARAGRAPH 4 OF
MY TEL 1937 TO YOU IS TO BE ADOPTED ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN
ON OR BEFORE 28TH NOVEMBER OR WE WILL LOSE ONE QUARTER OF AVAILABLE
IMPACT,
MACLEHOSE
FILES
r.E.D.
HKIOD
PUSD
SEAD
CONSULAR DEPT:
N. AM DEPT:
E.E.S.D.
DEFENCE DEPT:
PS
PS/MR ROYLE
PS/PUS
SIR S ORAWFORD
SIR T BRIMELOW MR ROSE
H
CONFIDENTIAL
P
་
+
SECRET
+
CYPHER/CAT A
HONG KONG 080545Z
SECRET
TO ROUTINE F C O TELNO 1037 OF 8TH NOVEMBER, 1972. INFO ROUTINE PEKING.
CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.
I PROMISED TO CONSIDER WHAT ROOM WE HAVE, FOR MANOEUVRE.
2. I THINK WE WERE AGREED THAT THE CHINESE INTEREST IN THE PRISONERS
WAS PROBABLY LARGELY A RESPONSE TO YOUR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE
BRITISH DETAINEES IN CHINA THEY WOULD RELEASE THE LATTER IF WE RELEASED
THE FORMER, OR ALTERNATIVELY THEY WOULD COMPLAIN SO LONG AS WE DID.
WHILE THE BRITISH DETAINEES ARE SINGULARLY
UNDESERVING, TO GET THEM OUT WOULD DE A SMALL THING OUT OF THE WAY (IN
BOTH PARLIAMENTARY AND ANGLO-CHINESE TERMS) AND YOU ASKED ME WHAT WE
COULD DO.
3. IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO BOTH OURSELVES AND THE CHINESE HAVE KEPT THIS
PROBLEM OF THE CONFRONTATION PRISONERS AND THE UNOBTRUSIVE. REDUCTION OF
ITS SIZE OUT OF THE HEADLINES. BUT FOLLOWING THE
PRESS CONFERENCES IN PEKING AND HERE THERE HAS NOW BEEN SOME SHARP
CRITICISM HERE OF THE PRINCIPLE OF A SWAP. OTHER THINGS BEING EQUAL
THEREFORE I WOULD PREFER TO STAND ON THE TERMS SET OUT IN MY LETTER TO
WILFORD OF 6TH JULY, 1.E. 4 MORE RELEASES UP TO NEXT APRIL, THE CHINESE
TO BE NOTIFIED AS EACH RELEASE OCCURS, AND IF, AND ONLY IF, THE CHINESE
THEN PRESS US ABOUT THE REMAINING 4 (FOR WHOM ANY CLEMENCY WOULD BE MUCH
MORE DIFFICULT) TO OFFER TO DEPORT THEM TO CHINA,
4. HOWEVER, IF THIS WOULD HELP THE BRITONS WE COULD AGREE TO BUNCH THE
RELEASES SO THAT ALL WOULD BE CUT BEFORE CHINESE NEW YEAR, I.E.` 4TH
FEBRUARY, AND THE CHINESE COULD BE INFORMED NOW THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN.
15.
SECRET
+
SECRET
5.
I WOULD PREFER THIS TO BE A UNILATERAL AND NOT A CONDITIONAL ACT. THIS
IS BOTH TO AVOID A HAGGLE, AND TO AVOID ANYTHING THAT COULD BE
REPRESENTLD AS A SWAP.
5.
IF THE CHINESE ENQUIRED ABOUT THE REMAINING 4, I SUGGEST CUR INITIAL
RESPONSE SHOULD BE THAT THESE MEN WERE ALL CONVICTED FOR PARTICULARLY
SERIOUS CRIMES WHICH
INVOLVED KILLING OR SERIOUSLY WOUNDING, AND THE QUESTION OF CLEMENCY
DOES NOT ARISE FOR THE TIME BE ING.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
FED
HISTOÐ
CONS D
NEWS D PS
PS/MR AMERY
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]
PS/MR ROYLE
SIR E NORRIS
SIR D WATSON
MR WILFORD MR D A SCOTT
-2-
SECRET
+
Γ'
I
+
19
CONFIDENTIAL
IMMEDIATE
CYPHER/CAT A
FM F.C.0. 271839Z
CONFIDENTIAL
DESKBY 2831032 (HONG KONG)
I
1972
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO. 1870 OF 27 NOVEMBER AND TO
PEKING.
67
YOUR TELS. NOS. 1937 AND 1148) CONFRONTATION PRISONERS. FROM WILFORD,
I AM AFRAID THAT WE HAVE NOT YET GOT MINISTERIAL APPROVAL TO THE
PROPOSITION IN YOUR FIRST, TELEGRAM UNDER REFERENCE WHICH, AS YOU KNOW,
I SUPPORT. 1 FEAR THAT LAW'S RELEASE MUST BE HANDLED IN THE NORNAL WAY
ACCEPTING ANY DISADVANTAGE TO US THIS MAY CAUSE. SORRY.
2. PEKING SHOULD INFORM THE MFA ON THE USUAL LINES.
DOUGLAS-HOME
FILES
FED
HKI OD
PUS D
SEAD
CONSULAR DEPT
NORTH AMER DEPT
DEFENCE DEPT
MR WILFORD
SIR E NORRIS
CONFIDENTIAL
·
PRIORITY
CYPHER CAT A
FM HONG KONG 27F938Z
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
TOP COF
TO PRIORITY FCO TELEGRAM NUMBER 1162 GF 27 NOVEMBER, 1972.
YOUR TELAO 1324': P.Q.8 1
P.Q.S: CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.
EIGHT (9) OF THOSE FOUND GUILTY OF OFFENCES ARISING FROM THE 1967
DISTURBANCES ARE STILL SERVING PRISON SENTENCES.
FCO PASS COPY TO HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON
MACLEHOSE.
FILES: HKIOD
PARLIAMENTARY UNIT
OLA
COPIES TO:
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES 6 GRAFTON ST
71.
+
CONFIDENTIAL
to
}
-
PRIORITY
CYPHER/CAT A
Tôi HONG KONG 2419062
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
TOP JOFT
TO PRIORITY F C O TELNO 1148 OF 24TH NOVEMBER 1972 INNFO PRIORITY
PEKING.
71 MA
MY TELNO 151 TO PEKING.
lát
PERHAPS I SHOULD HAVE EXPLAINED THAT IT WOULD BE RATHER DIFFICULT
TO POSTPONE LAW'S RELEASE. CONSEQUENTLY IF THE PROPOSAL IN PARAGRAPH
4 OF MY TEL 1937 TO YOU IS TO BE ADOPTED ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN
ON OR BEFORE 28TH NOVEMBER OR WE WILL LOSE ONE QUARTER OF
AVAILABLE IMPACT.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
F.E.D.
HKIOD
PUSD
SEAD
CONSULAR DEPT:
N. AM DEPT:
E.E.S.D.
DEFENCE DEPT:
PS
PS/MR ROYLE
PS/PUS
SIR S CRAWFORD
SIR ↑ BRIMELOW
MR ROSE
CONFIDENTIAL
I
RIORITY
CYPHER/CAT A
CONFIDENTIAL
CORY
FM HONG KONG 230348Z
CONFIDENTIAL
O IN
23 M- 50
*** 1/2
TO PRIORITY PEKING TELNO 151 OF 23RD NOVEMBER, 1972. INFO
KEH 14.
태 F C 0.
YOUR TELEGRAM NO. 79, PARA. 2 CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.
LAW LUN WILL BE RELEASED ON 29 NOVEMBER.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
HKIOD
FED
PUSD
SEAD
CONSULAR DEPT:
N. AM DEPT:
E.E.S.D.
DEFENCE DEPT:
PS
PS/MR ROYLE
PS TO PUS
SIR S CRAWFORD SIR T BRIMELOW
MR ROSE
CONFIDENTIAL
+
P
+
F
f
J
L
I
¿
IMMEDIATE
EN CLAIR
FM PEKING 130630Z
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