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PRIORITY HONG KONG TO COMMONWEALTH OFFICE RECEIVED IN
TELEGRAM NO. 487 18 APRIL, 1968
CONFIDENTIAL
! ARCHIVES No.31
23 MAY 1968
FP13/8
ADDRESSED CO TELEGRAM NO. 487 OF 18TH APRIL SEPEATED PEKING.
FC 3/3 514 515 51C
PEKING TELEGRAMS 302, 303, 304: SINO-BRITISH RELATIONS.
I FULLY AGREE WITH THE SUGGESTION IN PARAGRAPH 3 OF TELEGRAM No. 304
THAT FOI. THE MOMENT IT WOULD BE BEST FOR US TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT THE
CHINESE DO, ESPECIALLY ON THE QUESTION OF EXIT VISAS FOR THE MISS ON AND
VISITS TO GREY. I AM SURE THAT WE SHOULD AVOID GIVING THE IMPRESSION
THAT WE ARE RUNNING AFTER
THE CHINESE SENICOLON AND THAT WE SHOULD NOT MAKE ANY NEW CONCESSIONS
UNTIL WE CAN JUDGE WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE PREPARED TC HONOUR UNWRITTEN
ARRANGEMENTS.
2. AS FAR AS GREY IS CONCERNED, THE VISITS WERE REPORTFC CORRECTLY AND
IN DETAIL IN THE HONG KONG COMMUNIST PRESS ON 11TH APRIL. WE AFE SENDING
THE RELEVANT CUTTINGS BY THE NEXT
BAG JO PEKING IN CASE THE M.F.A. CONTINUE TO PREVARICATE ON THE SUBJECT
SEMICOLON ALTHOUGH IT IS HARD TO SEE HOW THEY CAN HAVE THE FACE TO DO SO
IN VIEW CF N.C.N.A. 'S REPORTING OF THE SITUATION CN 12TH APEIL.
/3. ON OTHER
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3. ON OTHER QUESTIONS RELATING TO PRISONERS:-
(A) THE QUESTION OF EXTRA WINTER CLOTHING SEENS TO HAVE DIED
A NATURAL DEATH IN PROPACANDA HERE. IK ANY CASE:
(1) NO REPEAT NO CLOTHING HAS BEEN DELIVERED AT THE PRISON
SINCE THE OFFER WAS MADE IN JANUARY SEMICOLON AND
(ID) IT WOULD OBVIOUSLY BE RIDICULOUS TO DISTRIBUTE THE CLOTHING
IN WHAT IS NOW TO ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES SUMPER WEATHER.
THE COMMUNIST PFESS OF 19TH MARCH IMPLICITLY RECOGNIZED THIS WHEN IT
COMPLAINED THAT THE CLOTHING HAD STILL NOT BEEN DISTRIBUTED
BY THE BRITISH AUTHORITIES, ALTHOUGH SPRING HAD ALREADY COME.
(B) | PRESUNE THAT THE COMPLAINT OF INADEQUATE EXCERCISE FOR
PRISONERS FEFERS TO STANLEY INMATES FATHER THAN DETAINEES.
THE PROSLEM IS THAT ONLY 200 OF THE 700 CONFRONTATION PRISONERS
AT STANLEY HAVE AGREED TO WORK IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORDINARY
PRISON CONDITIONS. THE REMAINDER AFE THUS NORMALLY CONFINED
TO THEIR CELLS WHEN OTHERS ARE WORKING, BUT FOR THE LAST MONTH
THEY HAVE HAD ONE HOUR'S EXCERCISE PER DAY, INSTEAD OF THE USUAL
30 MINUTES.
4. TELEGRAN FOLLOWS ON THE QUESTION OF RICE.
FO PLEASE PASS PRIORITY PEKING AS MYTEL 169.
SIR D. TRENCH
[REPETITION TO PEKING REFERRED FOR DEPARTMENTAL DECISION.]
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
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CONFILENT LAL
ROUTINE
HONGKONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 643
SECRET
+37
ры
TO
20 MAY 1968
COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
RECTAD }ARCH\V-. *..
21 At 908
FD138
ADDRESSED CO TELNO 643 OF 20TH MAY RFI PEKING.
130
PEKING TELEGRAM 420 : GREY.
A MAJOR DIFFICULTY ABOUT RELEASING PRISONERS TO CHINA UNTIL THEIR
SENTENCES IN HONG KONG EXPIRE IS THAT WE BECOME HEAVILY DEPENDENT
ON CHI ESE GOOD FAITH. IT WOULD BE ONLY TOO EASY TO SLIP SUCH PEOPLE
BACK OVER THE BORDER WITH FALSE PAPERS, MANY OF THE PEOPLE WITH
LONGER SENTENCES HAVE COMMITTED CRIMES OF MAJOR DANGER TO THE PUBLIC,
LIKE BOMBING: AND WE COULD BE HEAVILY CRITICISED FOR
NEGLECTING PUBLIC SAFETY IF WE LET THEM GO TO CHINA WITHOUT
RECEIVING VERY FIRM ASSURANCES FROM THE CPG (WHICH WE ARE HARDLY LIKELY
TO GET, AT LEAST IN A FORM THAT WE COULD PUBLICISE). 2. THE TECHNICAL
QUESTION OF OUR ISSUING POST-DATED RE-INTRY
PERMITS NEED NOT IN ITSELF RAISE MAJOR DIFFICULTIES. THERE ARE THE
FOLLOWING POSSIBILITIES:-
(A) TO ISSUE ORDINARY RE-ENTRY PERMITS, BUT PUT THE PEOPLE
CONCERNED ON THE WATCH LIST. THIS COULD CESPECIALLY IF THE NUMBERS
RELEASED TO CHINA WERE LARGE) IMPOSE A HEAVY BURDEN ON THE IMMIGRATION
AUTHORITIES,
(B) TO ISSUE THEM POST-DATED ENTRY, REPEAT ENTRY, PERMITS. THIS
WOULUBE AN ENTIRELY NEW PROCEDURE FOR HONG KONG RESIDENTS AND
WOULD PROBADLY BE UNACCEPTABLE TO CHINESE ON GROUNDS OF PRINCIPLE.
CCD TO ISSUE RE-ENTRY PERMITS WITH AN OVERT ENDORSEMENT THAT THEY
WOULD NOT BE VALID UNTIL A CERTAIN LATER DATE. THIS WOULD
SEEM TO OFFER THE LEAST PROBLEMS FROM THE TECHNICAL AND POLITICAL
POINT OF VIEW,
3. THE QUESTION OF CHOI COUR TELEGRAM 454 PARA 30 WAS BROACHED
/TO AN
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TO AN NENA REPRESENTATIVE ON MAY 15 IN A SHORT, BUT VERY CORDIAL
'INTERVIEW. NO AWKWARD 13SUES WERE RAISED AND THE REPRESENTATIVE
PROMISED TO LET US HAVE AN EARLY REPLY.
4. WE AGREE THAT OUR CONTACTS WITH LI CHOH-CHIH OFFER THE MOST PROMISING
CHANNEL FOR DISCUSSING THE QUESTION OF THE RELEASE OF CONVICTED
PRISONERS. LÍ RETURNED TO HONG KONG ON 11 MAY AND WE WOULD STRONGLY
ADVOCATE WAITING TO SEE IF HE HAS ANYTHING
TO SAY BEFORE EMBARKING ELSEWHERE ON CONVERSATIONS WHICH WOULD
OPEN THE QUESTION TO DISCUSSION.
5. THE PRISON RULES CRULE 69) LAY DOWN THAT THE AMOUNT OF REMISSION
WHICH MAY BE GRANTED SHALL NOT EXCEED ONE THIRD'' OF THE PRISONER'S
SENTENCE. SUBJECT TO GOOD BEHAVIOUR FULL ONE THIRD REMMISSION IS
STANDARD PRACTICE. THE ONLY WAYS OF ALTERING THIS WOULD BE EITHER TO
AMEND THE RULES TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM REMISSION GENERALLY OR FOR ME TO
EXERCISE MY PREROGATIVE TO REMIT SENTENCES IN INDIVIDUAL CASES. NEITHER
COURSE COULD BE FOLLOWED WITHOUT CONSIDERABLE ADVERSE PUBLICITY. IN ANY
CASE, THE COMMUNISTS KNOW VERY WELL WHEN THEIR PRISONERS ARE DUE TO BE
RELEASED UNDER THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS: AND IF ANY PRISONERS WERE
RELEASED PREMATURELY THEY WOULD BE ALMOST CERTAIN TO PUBLICISE THE
FACTS. AFTER ALL, A MAJOR INTEREST OF THEIRS IS TO GET US TO MAKE
CONCESSIONS WHICH THEY CAN PUBLICLY
CLAIM AS VICTORIES.
FO PLEASE PASS ROUTINE PEKING 241.
SIR D. FRENCH
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]
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CONFIDENTIAL ARCHIVES No.3:
PRIORITY PEKING TO FOREIGN OFFICE
Telno 453
CONFIDENTIAL
20 May, 1968
1.5913/8
Addressed to Foreign Office telegram No. 453 of 20 May!
Repeated for information za) Hong Kong.
My telegram No. 419efey.
At our request Cradock was granted an interview with Press Department of
Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 18 May. He was seen by Miss Chang Deputy
Section Head,
136)
2. Cradock began by expressing our strong dissatisfaction at Grey's
present treatment. He pointed out it was clear from Grey's conditions of
confinement in approximately the first month after his detention on 21
July, 1967, that the Chinese statement on that date announcing measures
against him was intended only to mean that Grey was not free to leave
his house. Since 18 August, however, his treatment had been much more
severe. He was confined to one room, deprived of using the rest of his
house and personal belongings, his telephone and radio and normal postal
facilities. He was denied contact with his friends and with this office.
This was inconsistent with only official statement the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs had made about Grey. This treatment of an innocent man
was both inhumane and uncivilised. Cradock requested
that Grey's situation be restored at least to what it was before
18 August, and specifically that Grey be allowed full use of his
premises and personal possessions, normal inward and outward mail
facilities, radio and telephone; also that he be permitted informal
visitors from among his friends in Peking on a regular basis of at least
once a month. 3. Chang described our requests as ridiculous and
groundless and went on contrasting Grey's treatment favourably with that
of Hong Kong journalists taken prisoner who, she ? gp. omitted] were
treated like wild beasts. She denied flatly that there was any
inconsistency between Grey's present treatment and the Chinese statement
of July, 1967. She claimed that the issue raised by our requests was
very simple. We should consider the question of the patriotic
journalists and news-workers in prison in Hong Kong and we would find
the answer ourselves. The Grey question was not an isolated one but part
of the Hong Kong problem. In any case, Grey was on Chinese territory.
His treatment was therefore the business of the Chinese Government and
no one else had the right to interfere.
4. Cradock rebutted Chang's changes on Hong Kong prisoners in detail,
drawing on the material supplied by the Governor. He contrasted Grey's
treatment in the matter of visits, isolation, mail facilities and
recreation with that received by the Hong Kong prisoners. He pointed out
that Grey, as a British subject, was the legitimate object of our
concern. The question affects Sino-British relations.
Moreover, the treatment of Grey, a foreigner in China, was noted not
only in Britain but by other foreign countries.
5. In reply Chang, amidst some general abuse about Hong Kong, said that
as regards visit of Legal Adviser the British had so far arranged only
one visit in Hong Kong. Anything else was only what was provided for
usual prisoners. Grey's alleged isolation was because he was the only
correspondent under restraint. By contrast the British had arrested many
in Hong Kong [? gp. omitted] Grey's conditions had not
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/deteriorated
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2.
deteriorated. They were better than before. He was allowed to use his
personal possessions and could go upstairs to get his own things. All
along he had been allowed to write letters to his family. Not long ago
Grey had written a letter home.
6.
Lengthy exchanges followed in which Cradock repeated our requests and
asked that very serious attention be given to them, particularly in
relation to the solitary nature of Grey's confinement, which could
gravely affect his physical and mental health. The interview ended at
Chang's request after two hours.
7. Full record follows by bag.
8.
See my immediately following telegram.
F.0. pass Hong Kong No. 328.
Sir D. Hopson
[Repeated as requested].
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
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Tel No. 452
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RECEIVED IN
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(35)
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paganis
Addressed to Foreign Office telno. 452 of 20 May repeated for
information to Hong Kong.
??
My immediately preceding telegram.
←
MIFF
This was a long and abrasive interview, Our points were registered, but
the Chinese attitude was unyielding and I would not (repeat not) expect
us to succeed in bringing about much change in Grey's situation in this
way. It was fairly clear that the Chinese link further visits to him to
further special visits to News workers in prison in Hong Kong. I shall
now prompt the West German correspondent, who is a friend of Grey, and
possibly other friends in Foreign Missions, to apply for an interview
with him but I see little hope of these requests being granted.
2. On matters of detail, two new points emerged about Grey's present
treatment:
3.
(a) Grey has recently written at least one letter home, and
(b) he is sometimes allowed upstairs in his house to fetch
belongings.
Compared with what Grey told me when I saw him on 23 April. (b) seems
new minor concession by the Chinese. The Chinese claim that Grey's
conditions had improved rather than deteriorated probably refers to
improvement in his food after first few months, as [? gps omitted] when
he also moved to a larger room as he intimated to me on 23 April.
F.O. pass Hong Kong 327.
Sir D. Hopson
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION:
F.O. F.E.D.
Consular Dept.
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[Repeated as requested]
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Mr. Wilkinson
Ascored FC 13/8.
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RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
1 5 MAY 1968
FP 13/8
MR. GREY
ACCESS AND IMPROVELENT OF CONDITIONS OF DETENTION
(134)
Following on our meeting with the Governor of Hong
Kong on 3 May, I submit a draft telegram to Peking dealing
with what steps right now be taken to gain further access
to Mr. Grey and to improve the conditions of his detention.
The Commonwealth Office concur.
2. The background is given in my submission of 2 May
(attached).
3. A separate submission will be made about negotiating
the release of Mr. Grey.
Copy to Mr. Carter, C.0.
ваши Гламод
(James Hurray)
7 May, 1968
Sin D. Allen
Both there tob.
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the fruit f
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to not. I think,
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I agree
om discussion
self-explanatory, and
subminion to Minister.
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Philkinson
7/5
E
RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES No 31
15 MAY 1968
Kr. Wilkinson
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1008
(133
F813/8
Jr, pa 915-
Discumad with Si A Tunch 3/5
R.
CONSULTATIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG
VISITS TO MR. GREY
Problem
Sir D. Hopson visited Mr. Grey on 23 April and concluded
that the worst aspect of Mr. Grey's condition was his isolation.
Sir D. Hopson believes that our immediate efforts should be
concentrated on securing improvements in this respect. The
question of Mr. Grey's release on which Sir D. Hopson has also
commented is dealt with in a separate submission.
2.
Sir D. Hopson's proposals fall into two categories:-
(a) that he should press the Chinese to allow Mr. Grey
such comforts as more books, magazines and letters
in and out; and also, as a longer shot, A
gramophone, records, wireless and telephone;
(b) that he should ask the Chinese for another visit
to Mr. Grey in Kay, pointing out that his isolation
is worse than that of the Communist prisoners in
Hong Kong and contrasting their regime with his
complete isolation; and that if this request is
turned down, he be authorised to offer immediately
another round of special visits to the Communist
newspaper workers in Hong Kong prisons in return
for a further visit to Hr. Grey. He would propose
such a visit on similar conditions to last time.
/3.
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2
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3. Category (a) above raises few problems. Hong Kong
have furnished Sir D. Hopson with arguments about letters
and books (though they call for certain caution regarding
books since the Chinese would certainly seek to make an
issue of the refusal to give prisoners in Hong Kong the
"Thoughts of Hao Tse-tung").
Category (b) raises much more serious problems and
Hong Kong telegram No. 536 expresses a reluctance to sanction
further special visits in Hong Kong except as a last resort.
The Governor is also reluctant to see Sir D. Hopson going
into too much detail with the Chinese regarding the respective
conditions of Kr. Grey and the prisoners in Hong Kong-
5. We have to decide what line to take with the Governor
at the meeting in the Commonwealth Office on 3 May.
Recommendationa
6.
I recommend that:-
(a) We go through Hong Kong telegram No. 536 with
the Governor in order to establish how far it
represents his own views (as opposed to those of the Officer
Administering the Government.)
(b) We ask the Governor how long it will be before
he would be prepared to contemplate another
round of "special visits".
(c) We ask whether he can agree that Sir D. Hopson
be authorised to discuss with the Chinese the
major complaints which they have made about
the Communist prisoners in Hong Kong.
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(a) We explain to the Governor that there would
be great difficulty in resting where we are;
we shall be under considerable public and
parliamentary pressure to demonstrate that we
are doing our best to secure an amelioration
in Mr. Grey's conditions, particularly to secure
further visits. In our view there is very little
chance of achieving this unless there is a further
round of visits in Hong Kong.
Background
Aa
7. Sir D. Hopson considers, and I agree, that after the
visit to Mr. Grey (Peking telegram No. 341) we should not
rest on this achievement (Feking telegram No. 348). He can
of course tackle the Chinese immediately regarding the con-
ditions under which Mr. Grey is being held and, if he is
authorised, rebut certain Chinese complaints about the alleged
isolation of Communist prisoners in Hong Kong- It is possible
that he may make some limited progress in this direction.
Hong Kong have pointed out in their telegram No. 536, all
Communist prisoners in Hong Kong enjoy the monthly privilege
of visits from friends and relatives. The next step therefore
would seem to be for Sir D. Hopson to attempt to secure
similar monthly non-official visite to Mr. Grey, e.g. by
the wives of members of the Mission or by other members of
the foreign community in Peking.
8. Sir D. Hopson expects, however, that the Chinese will
turn down his request. I am afraid this is almost certain.
We
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.4
We must therefore face the fact that we will not get access
again to Mr. Grey until a further round of special visits
is permitted in Hong Kong. The Governor of Hong Kong has
argued that a further round of such visits would be
regrettable in general and particularly so in the near
future; it would tend to consolidate N.C.N.A.'a special
position in Hong Kong and give them a propaganda advantage;
it might encourage the Chinese to make further use of Mr.
Grey as a bargaining counter; and there might be an adverse
effect on public opinion in the Colony. The Governor adde
that the Chinese might well raise the price of a further visit.
We see the force of these arguments and agree that we should
not be seen to be running after the N.C.N.A. There are,
however, two counter arguments which must be borne in mind:-
(a) We have already conceded the point of principle by
permitting the first visit. There may be some
advantage in following up the tacit understanding
that appears to have been reached on the matter of
visite rather than allowing the understanding to lapse
and then finding ourselves in a position where we have
to revive it with a further round of elaborate nego-
tiations with N.C.N.A.
(b) The Chinese may raise the price of a further visit
whenever we propose it; but they would be particularly
prone to do so after a gap in which our inability to
secure further access to Mr. Grey other than by
accepting Chinese terms had again been demonstrated.
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9.
These two points might well be made to the Governor
when we discuss telegram No. 536.
A chronology of attempts to obtain access to Mr. Grey
is attached at Annex A.
Mumay
(James Murray)
2 Kay, 1968
Copy to Mr. Carter, C.0.
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Mr. Wilkinson
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FDB/B
1
132
MR. GREY
POSSIBILITIES OF NEGOTIATING HIS RELEASE
I have already subritted a draft telegram to Peking
dealing with steps which might be taken to gain further
access to Mr. Grey and to improve the conditions of his
detention. I now submit a draft telegram dealing with the
question of negotiating his release. Commonwealth Office
concur.
2. The background is given in my submission of 2 lay
(attached).
Copy to Mr. Carter, C.o.
James Murray.
(James Kurray)
7 Kay, 1968
13.
Sri D. Allen.
Philharison 7/5
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Julares
17. Jaa. Ja pa 9/5
ARCHIVES No.31 15 MAY 1968
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