7.
Reuters agree with us that it is still undesirable to
encourage any publicity about Mr. Grey. If, however, the
approaches in Hong Kong and through the Pakistanis meet with
no success and in the light of any recommendations by Mr.
Hopson, we should consider whether in a few weeks' time there
might not be advantage in encouraging publicity. Peking have
already suggested in their letter of 3 November that this
possibility should be examined. If the Chinese are seeking
to rehabilitate themselves internationally and erase the
memory of some of the outrages committed during the Cultural
Revolution, they might be embarrassed by publicity about a
correspondent being held for months without any charge being
made against him.
8. Ultimately I think that our best hope of success lies in
arranging to exchange Mr. Grey for members of N.C.N.A. under
detention in Hong Kong, but this will depend on developments
there and on the general state of our relations with China.
It may take some time. Meanwhile it would be an advance if
we could at least get access to Mr. Grey.
Copy to: Mr. White, News Department
Jam Denson
(J. B. Denson) 24 November, 1967
CONFIDENTIAL
J
if
agree that it would be well Mm Rodgers would see My Underhill. when the
Grey was first put under house destation Rentes did not seem anxious to
have our helpo
phina's because they realized that in the circum- siances l'here was
very little we could do. The problem is that however much we might like
to deal with the Haughing pobolem as a separate
the dealt with on its own maiti Ihe Chine make it the rouchstone a
Angls. Chinese relations. The Governa of Haskay was arrain wamed that
take stranger acum against Chinese-
inue
he may
have to
вать
نماند
owned Communist newspaper in the colony: The mails of the case
In case he is absolutely right, but the effects of his action of be
sakes it will be to make a settlement of in Grey's case mae
بانک سات مسلم اسی این باربی
M. Rodgers.
R. J. de Inlan
87/11
Mr. Rodgers Saw
saw Mr. Underhill on
29 September.
Separate surprinssiin.
Jim Denson
291
XX
Reference
CONFT DENT I AL
(Solan)
(105)
глада
Plag B
Jame Kurray
c.c. Mr. Haydon, News Department.
Mr. Anthony Grey
Mr. Cradock's letter of 3 November (attached) again raises the question
of whether we should give publicity to Hr. Grey's confinement.
2.
I think that there may be a case for allowing publicity about Grey, but
I agree, as suggested in your minute of 8 November, that we should wait
to see
hether any progresa can be made by other means after the Chinese
reactions to our lifting of restrictions in London are known. If, as we
hope, exit visas for the staff begin to be granted, we can instruct Kr.
Hopson to make a further approach on Grey's behalf. If that proves
fruitless, we could consider stimulating publicity. In the meantime, I
can see no harm in Mrs. Grey addressing a personal message to Chou
En-lal. It would be preferable that this should not coincide with an
official approach. It might be done soon after Mr. Hopson has told the
Chinese about the lifting of restrictions.
3. In paragraph 3 of the letter, Mr. Cradock says that no reply has been
received to Peking telegram No. 100. In fact, Hong Kong did reply in
telegram No. 1487 to the Commonwealth office. It is possible that this
ras not repeated to Peking or that they have destroyed it and forgotten
its existence. we reply to the letter, I will send a copy saying that we
do not feel in a position to contest the Governor'a viewe,
When
John Denson
(J. B. Theston) 9 November, 1967.
S
CONA'I DENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
105
RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES No.31
- DEC 1967
Dear Johans
FC 13/8
Office of the British
Chargé d'Affaires,
FERING.
3 November, 1967.
We have been giving further thought to the worrying problem of Tony
Grey.
2.
There has been ne zore news er rumours on his whereabouts and condition
since we last wrote. We assume that he is still In his house, theigh no
one can be sura. We reported in our 81) telegram No. 179 some faint
indications that certain letters
may be getting through to him. News Department of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs remain unresponsive to our repeated telephone requests
for consular access. We repeated this
On the other request in the form of a Note an 3 November. hand there has
been no indication that the Chinese wish to develop the sinister theme
of spying by Grey's chauffeur (John Weston's letter of 24 October).
3. Last month we had some telegraphic correspondence with Hong Kong on
the question of access to Heueh Fing by relatives in Hong Kong. We
remain strongly of the view that everything possible must be done to
deny NCNA prissners any selace which is denied to Grey. Hong Kong have
still not commented en sür 1b) telegram No. 100.
87
Hitherte sur view, shared I think by Reutera, has been that press
publicity would probably prejudice Grey's chances of release. Now that
three months have passed without any give on the Chinese side, I doubt
whether such arguments are very valid I think we should now consider
with Reuters the possibility of taking a different tack and stimulating
publicity. I doubt whether the Chinese would be happy about steries in
the world's press about a Reuter's journalist kept in selitary
confinement in Peking with no charge for a period of three months and
mere. So far the press have been hesitant about handling the Grey atery;
but it may be that they only require encouragement. Pieces along the
lines of the Sunday Telegraph or 22 October would be the least they
could provide.
5. We should have to consider whether action along these linos Gould
reduce the chances of success of a personal approach by urey's mother to
Chou En-lai. (Your telègran No. 904). There is also the possibility that
the talks on the Hong_Kong border any any casing of restrictions on
Chinese officials in Louden will in any event bring some improvement in
Grey's chances. This may be an argument for delay berere trying the line
in paragraph 4, but we should, I think, have it ready and should. not
assume tee readily that pruss publicity is incompatible with other
courses of actien. comments and these of Hong Kong -
We would welcome jour
I am copying this letter te Anthony Elliott in Heng Kong.
we
Yours
Frey
(P. CRADOCK)
J. B. Denson, May., O.B.E.,
Far Sastern Department.
JUNFIDENNI
Cypher/Cat A
CONFIDENTIAL
PR ITY PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Telno. 312
104
TOP COPY_
RF
DIN
#5 No.31
-DEC 1967
5 December 1967
F213/8
CONFIDENTIAL
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 312 of 5 December, Repeated for
information to Hong Kong.
Not
Reuters telegram No. 127 of 17 November.
We sent a parcel of whisky cigars etc, and some personal letters to
Ministry of Foreign Affairs under cover of à note requesting they be
delivered to Grey. After 10 days Ministry of Foreign Affairs telephoned
to say the matter should be referred to Diplomatic Service Bureaux. We
took action accordingly: in
the course of discussion it became fairly obvious that Grey is still in
his house and attended by his Chinese servants.
2.
Diplomatic Service Bureaux telephoned today to confirm parcel and
letters have been delivered to Grey. We are therefore preparing another
[grp omitted] for Christmas.
Foreign Office pass Hong Kong 155.
The Tlurray
Ś
leller
Mr. Hopson,
[Repeated as requested]
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.O. F.E.D.
News Dept.
C.0.
DDDDD
Consular Dept.
H.K.D.
CONFIDENTIAL
Sending & The Grey.
pa.
جمھورا
Cypher/Cat A
CONFIDENTIAL
PRURITY PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Telno 306
CONFIDENTIAL
ГОР С
СТА
103
RECEIVED
ARCHIVES No!!
VES
6 DEC 1967
4 December 1967
F213/8
I
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 306 of ↳ December. Repeated for
information to Hong Kong and Rawalpindj
Your telegram No. 1051: Reuters. 13/8/100
On 2 December immediately on receipt of your telegram under reference I
called on Pakistan Ambassador. Unfortunately, he had already had his
meeting (a private lunch with Ch'en Yi).
He hopes however, that another opportunity for a word at high level with
Chinese will come probably about mid-December.
2. On 29 November we sent a Note to Foreign Ministry giving details of
access to Hsueh P'ing by his wife and NCNA colleagues as in Hong Kong
telegram No. 633 to me.
5013/8/4
Foreign Office please pass Priority to Hong Kong 149,
Rawalpindi 122.
Mr. Hopson
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.O. F.E.D.
News Dept.
Consular Dept.
C.O. H.h.Dept.
[Repeated as requested]
pe
fo
PPPPP
CONFIDENT1 AL
Reference
(102
Mr.D. Wilson,
Far Eastern Dept.:
was.
-50E 1967
Fring
Brian Horton of Reuters talked to me on Friday about the position of Mr.
Anthony Grey in Peking. I mentioned this to Mr. Sharland
in your absence. The burden of what Mr. Horton said was that Reuters
were becoming increasingly worried about Mr. Grey's conditions and were
wondering, even, whether he was still alive. There was, after all,
nothing to prove that he
They were also wondering whether the time had come to mount some kind of
a press campaign or to take action with the Chinese authorities. This
comes, as you know, after interest being shown by the Sunday Times and
other newspapers. I am sure that they will not give Mr. Grey's detention
publicity if we ask them not to and if Reuters agree that this is the
right course.
2.
However, I think that the time bas
now come when we ought to have another talk with Reuters. It is for
consideration that Mr. Rodgers might like to talk to Mr. Horton or Mr.
Gerry Long or both, and my recommendation is that this should be done as
soon as possible.
R.H.
(W.R.Haydon)
20 November, 1967.
I submitted yesterday
Subject but I thute
бля
раз
سال
165
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Shaund
the additional münte
it strengthen the
consullation
will
dramai of IEE
Plze
case for further
Pentory and
angle
CONFIDENTIAL
Reference...
..
JOL
Mr. James Murray,
Far Eastern Dept.:
MR. ANTHONY GREY
R: WED IN
ARCHIVES No 31
-5DEC 1967
F213/8
Mr. Denson's minute of 9 November discusses whether we might start a
publicity campaign about the detention of Mr. Anthony Grey of Reuters in
Peking.
I think this needs very
careful consideration and I should like to
suggest that at some stage we should talk to Reuters again. In recent
meetings with
members of Reuters, including Mr. G. Long, the General Manager, I found
them increasingly disturbed but, like ourselves, uncertain about how to
proceed. Even though they might not be able to come up with any positive
or useful suggestion about next steps, I know they would greatly
appreciate the opportunity of another talk with Ministers and/or
officials
here.
ен
(W.R.Haydon)
copy to Private Secretary + copy of Mr. Denson's minute.
10 November, 1967.
Seperate submision-
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.