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Addressed to
telegram No...
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1
22
.....repeated for information to
.1.T. יזו
Peking
(date)
Repeat to:-
Hong
Kong
Kong /37
Saving to:-
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lington
GREY
M++++++
Sunday Times have told us that they intend this
weekend to publish, with Reuters agreement, a piece
on Grey. We have persuaded them not to include any
reference to the idea of exchanges, about which they
had apparently heard. The article may contain
criticism of Foreign Office "ineffectiveness" in the
14 Sev. form of quotations from an article in an East Anglian
newspaper by Mr. Anthony Royle, M.P.; but we do not
know in detail what the line will be. Reutere will
themselves probably issue a statement on Sunday.
2. Gist of the article Gai-tie statement will be
tdegraphed en clair. We shall also telegraph anything
unathibcita!
Distributi
Departmental
F.3.D.
News Dept. J.I.R.D.
Consular Dep
Copies to:-
Hong Kong
Durt
EXAMINED AT 20.10/5/1
SIGNATURE
News Department-say/in reply to questions. Gedo
in
Lour present intentions not (repeat not) Entend to make a statement on
the
record at this stage.
13.
4
0327 17 E.W. & S..Lad. 164m 3/67,
I
Houeurs,
3. Depending on how the story appears and
reactions to it, we shall
consider early-
next week whether to use this opportunity to
matas
publicise the further.
San
で
Vam.
A
*
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
CONFIDENTIAL
Cypher/Cat A
IMMEDIATE PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Telno 2
TOP C
RECEIVED IN
;
CONFIDENTIAL
1 January 1968
· ARCHIVES No. 14) | 2-JAN 1308
FC138
pe ise
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 2 of 1 January Repeated for
information to Hong Kong
Ky immediately preceding telegram."
FP13/8/59.
West German News Agency correspondent told me last night that his East
German colleague had just given him some news about Grey. East German
apparently said he had been told by Chinese official in Press Department
of Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Grey's conditions of confinement had
recently been improved. Up to 3 weeks ago he had been confined to one
room in his house and had been having ordinary Chinese workmen's food.
Now he was allowed to use
Chinese official is
2 rooms and was getting good food. alleged to have suggested to East
German that he should pass this information on.
2. It looks as if this devious Chinese manoeuvre is part and parcel of
their publicity operation about prisoners in Hong Kong, is calculated to
improve their own propaganda position about Grey and may imply threat
that his conditions could become more severe again if we do not meet
their demands.
Foreign Office please pass Hong Kong 2.
Mr. Hopson
[Repeated as requested]
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CONFIDENTIAL.
"Keleived IN
ARCHIVES No.31
24 DEC
F
Cypher/Cat A
SECRET
IMMEDIATE PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Terno. 377
SECRET
TOP COPY (116
28 December 1967
Addressed to Hong Kong telegram No. 196 of 28 December, Repeated for
information to Foreign Office.
ל1
My telegram No. 375: Grey.
I have just seen Hong Kong paper on deportation of Communist prisoners
and detainers enclosed with Elliott's letter to me of 24 December. I
agree with the point in paragraph 21 that such a phrase as "released to
China" is much preferable to the words "deportation" and if approach
were authorised I would propose using it. Care would have to be taken,
however, to stick to such a phrase not only in presentation to Peking
but also in Hong Kong, particularly if deportation was a continuing
operation and further "releases" were envisaged.
2. I note that paragraph 16 of the paper says two NCNA officials will be
anxious to return to China. If this is so, it strengthens argument for
using a swop for Grey as first test of Chinese attitude on deportation.
Foreign Office pass Immediate Hong Kong 196
Mr. Hopson.
سم
ثم laber
[Repeated as requested]
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
News Dept.
F.0. F.E.D.
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асса accor
ADVANCE COPIES SENT
DDDDD
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pe
be
Cypher/Cat
RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES No 31
2 DEC 1967
CONFIDENTIAL
FC 138. JOONE
115
J
COPY
27 December, 1967
IMMEDIATE PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Telno 375
NFIDENTIAL
Addressed to Foreign Office Repeated for information to:
telegram No. 375 of 27 December.
Hong Kong.
Hong Kong telegram No. 1910: Prison Visits.
FP13/8/53.
I agree that best course might be for me now to approach the Chinese
Ministry of Foreign Affairs broadly on the lines suggested in paragraph
5 of telegram under reference. I think that it would be necessary to
make quite clear to the Chinese that concession of special New Year
visit to NCNA prisoners would depend on assurance from them that Grey
would be given the same privileges for mail and monthly visits as the
NCNA already have as well as special New Year visit.
2. If the Chinese raise clothing I could explain possibility as given in
paragraph 3 of telegram under reference. We are not repeat not) in fact
interested in getting clothing to Grey. As regards foodstuffs, if asked
I should like to be able to say that providing the question of visits
were arranged (which is most important for Grey) there was a possibility
that food parcels for NCNA could be arranged. Otherwise I would have to
say that the matter was under consideration.
3. It occurs to me that if we are going to get into negotiations of this
complexity about Grey we might just as well go the whole hog and try to
get him out. I could at least cast a fly over the Chinese about the
possibility of swapping Grey for Hsueh Ping, as suggested in previous
telegrams by enquiring on a personal basis whether the Chinese would be
prepared to accept Hsueh on deportation (if this proved possible) and
allow Grey to leave the country. After all the idea has already been
mooted in your letter to Ch'en Yi.
I understand the difficulties created by discriminatory treatment in
prison. Would it be possible to ease this by somehow housing NCNA
separately?
Foreign Office pass Immediate Hong Kong No. 194.
Mr. Hopson
[Repeated as requested).
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
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uuuuu
ADVANCE COPIES SENT.
Sepert ph
ро
CONFIDENTIAL
TELEGRAM SECTION Room 124 K.C.S.
Commations Department
FED
E13/3 113
YTC/1
Please send copies of the following-telegram
• Copy/ies of the following telegram has/have been sent
[*delete as applicable
TO:
375
from Pething
27/12
Hong Kong
N.C.N.A. Reporters
Dist.
(Initials)
(Signed)
(Department)
(Date)
Action taken in Communications Department :
&
+
(Date)
28/12..
AFTER ACTION THIS FORM SHOULD BE SENT TO
THE APPROPRIATE ARCHIVES DIVISION FOR RETENTION
+
FC13/8
CYKOR/CAT.A.
My
TOP COPY
CONFIDENTIAL
IMMEDIATE FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING
TELNO. 1134
27 DECEMBER, 1967
(FED)
CONFIDENTIAL.
ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELNO 1134 OF 27 DECEMBER REPEATED FOR
INFORMATION TO HONG KONG.
GREY.
REUTERS HAVE RECEIVED A CABLE FROM GREY ADDRESSED TO LONG AND
SENT THROUGH NORMAL COMMERCIAL CHANNELS. GREY THANKS THEM FOR
THEIR GOOD WISHES (CABLES FROM LONG AND UNDERHILL) WHICH HE RETURNS AND
CONFIRMS HE IS IN GOOD HEALTH.
NEITHER REUTERS NOR WE WILL GIVE PUBLICITY TO THE ABOVE AT LEAST UNTIL
WE HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FULL DISCUSSIONS.
SOSFA
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F.E. & P.D.
SOUTH ASIA DEPT.
NEWS DEPT.
CONFIDENTIAL
ре
P
Registry No.
Top Secret,
F.E.D.
EMERGENCY
IMMEDIATE
PRIORITY
Secret.
Confidential.
ROUTINE
Restricted.
with
Open.
priority
* Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should
reach addressee(s).
(Dak) F
PHE
Despatched.
A.B EW LI6. G#.665
MARGIN.
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN.
POZN
27/2 12352 27/02/27
Draft.
Telegram to:
Retang
No.
1134 (Date) 22/12/67.
And to :-
without
DEFERRED
[Se
Security classification] -if any
[Codeword-if any]
Addressed to..........
telegram No..........
TILLI
LILI
PILLO
PEKING
1134
CONFIDENTIAL
JULLIDILLLI➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ ➖➖ ➖➖ b‒‒‒‒‒‒ILL
т
(date)......
27/2
+HIHHENNAFA
repcated for information to Ranting to Hory Kory.
APOROSAAJKYO--------
The..
frey.
GREY
Reuters have received a cable from frey
Repeat to :
Mary Mary 2625
Herf
The Clair.
Code Cypher
६.०.
Distribution :--
F.E.D. D.J. a P.U.S.D. News Dept.
J... P.G.D. J.1.R.D Copies bet
н.к. дерв
c.o.
F.E.AP. Dipt. б. Сільки дерев News Dept.
الثة
nomal commercial chanuts.
Only
addnized to Lory
and
bunt through
Grey thanks
LON4
wishes (.
cables from Long
and Underhill)
which he stums.
and
confirms he
h
in good
health
them for their good wishes
Lavor we
Nicker Reuters will have to publicity Neither [will give
at lead with
opportunity of g for fell discussions.
BCC 27/12
☆ the above mention
eve have had
Cypher/Cat A
AIORITY
PEKING
Telno 369
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENT LAL
RECEIVED IN FOREIGN OFFICE
No 31
2... 1967
F2:13/8
F(113
23 December 1967
TOP COPY
See seperate
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 369
Repeated for information to Hong Kong.
B
23 December,
(10
Hy telegram No. 358; Reuters.
ре
کے
Since sending my telegram under reference we have taken another look at
Grey's case and I have come to the conclusion that the time has come for
us to give serious consideration to an early approach to the Chinese
offering an exchange of Hseuh Ping, and possibly other N.C.N.A. staff in
detention in Hong Kong, against Grey.
2. It is clear from terms of Chinese news release in July when Grey was
put under house arrest that he is being held against Hseuh Ping and we
can expect no substantial progress until we make orter of an exchange.
It is true this was included in your message to Ch'en Yi in early
September but context was wide one of general Anglo-Chinese relations;
moreover, the situation was much more tense both here and in Hong Kong
than now. In the currently improved atmosphere if we were to put forward
this specific proposal on its own it might produce results for Grey. The
Chinese readiness in recent border talks to consider the return of
Knight suggests they may be responsive to this kind of swap. Some such
deal might have resulted eventually from Chipp's contacts with the Bank
of China had these not proved abortive. Now that actions against Ta Kung
Pao and wen Hui Pao have been shelved it may be possible to take up the
threads again. Certainly we would lose nothing by trying and we might
learn something or the Chinese attitude on the question or deportation,
which could be relevant to our own case.
5. There may well be difficulties with the Chinese over attempts to
deport Hseuh Ping and I appreciate there can be no question or setting
him at liberty in Hong Kong, But this might be overcome by presenting
the deal as one of mutual deportation. Grey would have
to leave China at once and we would have to persuade Reuters not to send
replacement for some time.
4. we should also have to make up our minds on whom, apart from Hseuh,
we would be prepared to hand over. The Chinese may well ask for more
than one man.
5. if this proposal is approved I would make an oral approach here,
probably to the west European Department, with the initial offer of
Hseuh. if we decide to make such an approach it would probably be better
to withhold the publicity suggested in my telegram No.558.
6.
I realise this proposal will pose considerable problems for Hong Kong
but should be grateful if it could be examined urgently
/in
wai
+
CONFIDENTIAL
Peking telegram No. 369 to Foreign Office
2
in detail and for your and the Governor's comments.
Foreign Office pass Priority Hong Kong No. 192.
Mr. Hopson
[Repeated as requested]
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CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
Op
والأحادي OP
CYPHER/CAT A
PRIORITY FOREIGN OFFICE TO PEKING
TELNO 1123
22 DECEMBER, 1967 (F)
(112)
pete
CONFIDENTIAL
ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELNO 1123 OF 22 DECEMBER REPEATED FOR INFOR- MATION
TO HONG KONG AND RAWALPINDI,
YOUR TELNO 358: GREY.
WE HAVE DISCUSSED THE MATTER WITH CHIPP OF REUTERS. HE IS CONCERNED AT
YOUR REPORT OF THE IMPRESSION IN PEKING THAT REUTERS ARE DOING NOTHING
TO HELP GREY IN THE INTERESTS OF MAINTAINING THEIR ''POSITION' IN CHINA.
IN HIS VIEW REUTERS HAVE NO "POSITION" TO MAINTAIN, AS HE DOUBTS WHETHER
THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO SEND ANY OTHER CORRESPONDENTS TO PEKING IN THE
FORESEEABLE FUTURE. THEIR PRESENT CONCERN IS ONLY FOR GREY, CHIPP DOES
NOT KNOW WHAT FURTHER ACTION THEY COULD HAVE TAKEN APART FROM
PUBLICISING THE CASE
--
AND UP TO NOW WE HAVE ALL CONSIDERED THIS THE WRONG COURSE. THE PURPOSE
OF REUTERS' MESSAGES TO THE CHINESE AND ATTEMPTED CONTACTS THROUGH THE
PAKISTANIS AND IN HONG KONG WAS TO KEEP AS MANY LINES AS POSSIBLE OPEN
IN ORDER THAT THE CHINESE WOULD HAVE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND IF
THEY SO WISHED. WE SYMPATHISE WITH REUTERS AND HOPE YOU WILL DO WHAT YOU
CAN TO DISPEL ANY MISTAKEN IMPRESSION ABOUT THEIR ATTITUDE. WE HAVE
ASSURED CHIPP THAT IF DIRECT CONTACT IS MADE WITH GREY, YOU WILL TELL
HIM THAT REUTERS ARE IN CONSTANT TOUCH WITH HIS MOTHER AND ARE DOING ALL
THEY CAN ON HIS BEHALF.
/ F.N. 2.
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
FOREIGN OFFICE TELEGRAM NO.1123 TO PEKING
-2-
2. CHIPP STILL HAS DOUBTS ABOUT PUBLICITY BECAUSE HE FEARS THAT IT MAY
CAUSE THE CHINESE TO BRING CHARGES AGAINST GREY OR MAKE OUR COMPLIANCE
WITH DEMANDS OVER HONG KONG THE PRICE OF HIS RELEASE. THESE ARE
POSSIBILITIES THAT YOU HAVE NO DOUBT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT. CHIPP ADMITS
HOWEVER THAT SOME OF HIS COLLEAGUES WITHIN REUTERS NOW FAVOUR PUBLICITY
AND THAT, IN ANY CASE, IF NO PROGRESS IS MADE AFTER THE NEW YEAR
PUBLICITY WILL BECOME INEVITABLE. WE ACCEPT THIS AND HAVE AGREED THAT
THE MATTER SHOULD BE REVIEWED SHORTLY BEFORE PARLIAMENT REASSEMBLES ON
17 JANUARY, IN THE MEANTIME, WE SHALL CONTINUE TO AVOID PUBLICITY AND
WOULD BE GLAD IF YOU WOULD DO THE SAME, IF A STATEMENT IS TO BE MADE,
THERE MIGHT BE ADVANTAGE IN ITS BEING MADE OUTSIDE PEKING, POSSIBLY BY
REUTERS IN LONDON. BUT WE SHALL WISH TO CONSIDER THIS FURTHER WITH YOU.
SOSPA
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Despatched
}
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
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Unclassified
Flash Immediate Priority "Koutina
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
En Clair. Code Cypher
Draft Telegram to:-
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No.
[Secu
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23/12/67 (112)
------------
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PEKING
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