Press coverage
6. The Daily Express of 15 November announced that
in their view Hr. Grey would be released on the same
day as Hsueh P'ing, 16 Bovember. This is typical of
a current of optimism running through the British
press to the effect that Mr. Grey's release will follow
that of Hsueh P'ing; but for the reasons set out above
we do not believe that this is likely. The Economist
of 16 November reiterates the conclusion of an earlier
article that we should retaliate against the N.C.N.A.
correspondents based in London if kr. Grey is not
released hile it praises the Hong Kong Government for
refusing to give in to "Peking's blackmail" by releasing
convicted prisoners.
7. I attach a draft reply, Notes for Supplementaries
and previous parliamentary references.
I have make the manuscript
changes on this page mice we should woh he tor pessimistle about
shear lotto this
yen. Eurek
& ilson
(C. Wilson)
15 November, 1968.
immediately
#lei.
- 4-
CONFIDENTIAL
REFERENCES
19
Enterapa
F
Flag C
P.Q. by Mr. A. koyle (Mr. Grey)
Flag D
P.Q. by Mr. A. Royle (Mr. Grey and N.C.N.A.)
Flag E
Flag F
Flag G
Flag H
P.2. by Mr. A. Royle (Mr. Grey)
P.Q. by Kr. hitaker (Mr. Grey)
P.Q. by r. A. Royle (Mr. Grey)
P.Q. suspended by Mr. A. Royle (Mr. Grey)
Plag I
Debate on the Consular Relations Bill
NOTES FOR SUPPLEMENTARIES.
20 December, 1967
21 December, 1967
22 January, 1968
16 February, 1968
21 February, 1968
26 February, 1968
28 March, 1968
13 June, 1968
Flag J
Debate on the Adjournment
Flag K
P.Q. by Kr. Big, B-Davison (General)
14 October, 1968
Flag L
P.Q. by Kr. A. Royle (Ir. Grey)
21 October, 1968
Flag
Debate on the Address
31 October, 1968
KOTES FOR SUPPLEVE TARIES
Representations to the Chinese
1. My right honourable Friend the Parliamentary Under-
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs last spoke to the
Acting Chinese Chargé d'Affaires about this on 17 October.
In audition repeated representations have been made by
Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires in Peking. We wish to
normalise our relations with China and in some respects
there has been an improvement; but we have made it clear
to the Chinese that the cases of Mr. Grey and other British
subjects are a major obstacle to progres6,
I
I
ther
ew China News Agency correspondents imprisoned in
ziong Kong
2. It is true that there are thirteen Chinese
correspondents and newspaper :orkers imprisoned in Hong
Kong but they were arrested after Mr. Grey's detention.
Action if Er. Grey 18 not released
3.
If Mr. Grey is not released within a reasonable time
se should need to reconsider our position. At this stage
I cannot say what further steps might be taken.
Retaliation against the New China News Agency
4. There are a number of objections to such a course,
Juck
of which the most important is that measures are unlikely
to secure the release of Mr. Grey. The Chinese have made
it clear that in their view the solution to Mr. Grey's case
lies in the treatment of certain New China News Agency
These
correspondents in Hong Kong. have now been released.
Connection between Mr. Grey and detainees in Hong Kong
5. I have read the recent correspondence in The Times.
Notever the Chinese have claimed a connection between the
case of kr. Grey and those of the detainees, none of whom
are journalists.
Power of Hong Kong authorities to detain without trial
6. This is another question.
Possibility of an Agnesty in Hong Kong
7. This is another question.
18. Possibility
Possibility of an exchange
8. Not long after Kr. Grey's detention we offered the
Chinese an exchange of Hsueh P'ing for Mr. Grey whereby
Hsueh would leave Hong Kong and Mr. Grey would leave China.
The Chinese have shown no interest in such a solution.
Visit to l'r. Grey
9. The British Chargé d'Affaires in Peking has so far
been permitted only one visit to Mr. Grey. That was on
the 23rd of April, 1968. We shall continue to press the
Chinese for further visits.
Health of Mr. Grey
10. When the British Chargé d'Affaires in Peking visited
Kr. Grey on the 23rd of April he was in good heart; but
seven months have now gone by and I do not have the
information on which to make any pronouncement about Mr. Grey's
health at present.
Letters
11. We know that Mr. Grey has been receiving a certain
number of letters.
He has been allowed to write to his
mother and a friend in this country.
+
FEC134/1.
स्थिर
Cypher/Cat A
CONVIDENTIAL
IEDIATE FOREIGN AND COLICON "EALTH OFFICE TO PEKING
Telno. 945
18 November, 1968 ( F)
CONFIDENTIAL
پال
19/0 pe
Your telegram No. 1028 of 16 Kovember: Grey. Following are texts of
mense e for Anthony Grey.
From Mr. Gerald Long, General Lanager of Reuters.
Begins.
All your colleagues and friends in Reuters join me in serding (reetings.
You are in our thoughts continually and we continue to press for your
release in every way we can.
:est wishes from us all.
Ends.
From irs. Grey.
Begins.
Tony darling longing for your return and hoping all the time for your
speedy release. I am well and enjoy my new job. David Chipp is keeping
in touch and we exchange news about you. It is lovely to have your
letters and a great excitement when they srrive. Lots of love.
Enda.
From r. Devid Chipp, Reuters,
Be ging
I visited your mother in Norwich on Thursday 14 November, She is very
well and perfectly all right in every way and enjoying her new job. ie
are thinking of you all the time.
Enda.
Stevert.
FILES
Far Eastern Dept.
CONFIDENTIAL
XXXXX
R
Registry No.
DEPARTMENT
FEC139/1.
* Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should
reach addressec(3)
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION PRIORITY MARKINGS
(Date)
Top Secret C
CW
Flash
Secret 18/11 Immediate
Confidentit
Restricted
Unclassified
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
En Clair.
Code
Cypher
Draft Telegram to:-
PEKING
No.
(Date)
And to:-
94.5.
18/4
Priority
Routine
De sa he
18/1
"
Hauteu
CYPHER ΟΥΓ
[Security classification
www.www
-if any
Privacy marking ]
-if any
[Codeword-if any]
Addressed to
telegram No......
And to
יי
SIIVI
repeated for information to
CONFIDENTIAL
PEKING
(date)
ו---י יבי
ו יו
-------
PL
NOTHING TO BE Written in this marGH)
Repeat to:-
Saving to...
Grey.
Your telegram No. 1028 of 16 November:
Following are texts of messages for Anthony
Saving to:--
Distribution:-
Files
F.E.D.
Copies to:-
Grey.
From
Mr.
Gerald Long, General Manager of Reuters.
Begins. All your colleagues and friends in Reuters
join me in sending greetings. You are in our
thoughts continually and we continue to press for
Best wishes
your release in every way we can.
from us all. Ends.
Tony darling longing
From Mrs. Grey. Begins.
for your return and hoping all the time for your
speedy release. I am well and enjoy my new job.
David Chipp is keeping in touch and we exchange
news about you. It is lovely to have your letters
Lots of and a great excitement when they arrive.
love. Ende.
Routers.
From Mr. David Chipp, Begins. I visited your
mother in Norwich on Thursday 14 November.
18207187/12
110382). DJ 3020057156m (77 sorts). 1/68)
3.LM. Gş.143
She is very well and perfectly all right in every
way and enjoying her new job. We are thinking of
you all the time.
Ende.
18 1.
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
SECRET
TOP COPY
20
GYTALK/CAT A
IRNELIATE SEOUL
TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
TELECRAI: KUNDER 306
18 NOVEMBER 1960.
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
1 9 NOV 1968
FEC13C
SECRET
AUDRESSED TO FCC TELEGRAM NO 306 OF 10/11, REPEATED
FOR INFGANATION TO HONG KONG AD PEK Ca
PERSONAL FOR MORETON FROM MURHAY.
NIPT: GREY,
IN THE UNHAPPY EVENT THAT GREY HAS NOT GEEN RELEASED BEFOREHAND.
THE LISCUSSIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR IN NID DLCEKLER VOULD PROVIDE
AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONSILEN THE NEXT STEP.THE FOLLOWING
COURCES VOLLD HAVE TO DE REVIEVED 1-
A RUNISSION OF THE SUITENCES ON VARIOUS CATEGORIES OF PRISONERS
INCLUDING THE 13 NEWSPAPER WORKERS.
B REMISSION OF THE SENTENCES ON THE 13 NEWSPAPER WORKERS,
C REMISSION OF THE SENTENCE ON LO,
D AN OFFER TO THE CHINESE TO £PEED UP THE RELEASE OF DETAINEES
IN RETURN FOR CHUY,
E A POLICY OF WAIT AND SEE.
2. CRADOCK ARGUED STRONGLY FOR COURSE A, BOTH TO SECURE
THE KILLACE OF GILY AND Eu none CNEVAL GROUNDS, FUT HE
L
FAILED TO KOVE GALS, AND I PERSONALLY
LOULD TULLA IT
CUT OF THE CUESTICH TO FRIES THE GOVSENOR ALONG THESE LINĖS AT
ALLY RATE FOR THE TING 2016,
SIRET
SECRET
2.
3. BY MID CECEMBER WE MIGHT HAVE FAIRLY CLEAR INDICATIONS THAT
COURSE D VAS THE MINIMUM PRICE FOR GREY. BUT VE COULD EXPECT
STRO.G RESISTANCE FROM THE GOVERNOR, ESPECIALLY IF THERE WAS
AO FIRM GUARANTEL THAT REMISSION WOULD SECURE THE RELEASE OF AD
GREY. IN ANY CASE, I PERSONALLY WOULD BE
MOST RELUCTANT TO RECOMMEND TO MINISTERS THAT VE SHOULD DENO
TO CHINESE PREYSURES IN THIS WAY.
+
RELEASE OF
4. I NOV SEE LESS MERIT THAN DEFORE IN CCURSE C. IF THE
ALL THIRTEEN NEWSPAPER WORKERS, THE CRIME E WERE STANDING OUT FOR THE
RELEASE OF/LO ALONE WOULD
NOT HAVE MUCH EFFECT AS A CESTURE. AND IF LO VERE RELEASED
WITHOUT RESULTS, THE GOVERNOR VOULD UNDERSTANDABLY BE MORE
RELUCTANT TO CONSIDER ANY FURTHER MEASURES OF CLENENCY.
5. TO FUT COURSE D FORMALLY TO THE CHINESE, WITH THE
TULLIITY
THAT LICHT RESULT, LOULD CXPOSE US TO THE CHARGE OF USING THE CETAINEES
AS POLITICAL PAVNS AN ISSUE WHICH HAS
CECOME MORE SENSITIVE SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF REAR S LETTER.>
IT COULD PROBABLY ONLY BE PUT INFORMALLY THROUGH COVERT CHANNELS
IN HONG KONG, .GASS 8 PRELIMINARY REACTIONS WERE NOT UNFAVOURAULE
FROVIDED SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS PERFITTED THE RELEASE OF A
LARGE ENOUGH NUMBER, IT MIGHT HAVE SOME ATTRACTIONS FOR THE
COMMUNISTS LOTH IN HONG KONG AND PEKING. BUT WE HAVE NOT REALLY
MUCH OF A SARGAINING POSITION.
+
C. WHETHER COUPSE E REMAINED FEAST:LE IN MID DECEMDEN
RIGHT DEFEND AS RUCH ON THE PRESSURES OF PULLIC OPINION IN THE
UK AS ON ON THE MERITS OF THE CASE.
SECRET
+
+
/7. IN
SECRET
SEOUL TELEGRAM NO. 306 TO FOREIGN AND COLTTONWEALTH OFFICE
3.
7. IN REACHING A DECISION WITH THE GOVERNOR MUCH WOULD DEFEND
ON EVIDENCE CBTAINED MEANULILE ABOUT CHINESE INTENTIONS, THE
REPERCUSSIONS OF ANY VISIT TO GREY IN DETENTION, AND OUR
ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT RELATIONS BETWEEN THE PEKING AUTHORITIES
AND THE LOCAL COMMUNISTS AND I OCUST IF MATTERS CAN USEFULLY
EL TAKEN FURTHER NOW.
ALVANCE COPY TO MR NORETON GY 10.0055T 18/11
MR. HACKENZIE
DEPART. LENTAL DISTRIBUTION
FAR EASTEIN DEPT.
HONG KONG DET.
E. & 0. DEPT.
CONSULAR DEPT.
NE'S DEPT.
INFOR ́ATION RESEARCH DEPT.
RESEARCH DEPT.
INFORMATION POLICY DEPT.
SECRET
4
ADVANCE COPIES SENT.
+
+
I
I
SECRET
19
TOP COPY
ER/CAT A
"JATE SECUL
+
TO FOREIGN AND COMYONWEALTH OFEJCE.
TELEGRAM NO. 335
18 NOVEMBER 1968
SECRET.
OFF
ADDRESSED TO FCO TELEGRAM NO. 335 CF 18/11 REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO
HONG KONG AND PEKING.
FERSONAL FOR MORETON FROM MURRAY.
GREY
RECEIVED ARCHIVES No.31
19NOV 1968
FEC13C/1
Jann infu
AT BEST THE LATEST MOVES BY THE CHINESE OVER GREY (THE APPROACHES
THROUGH COVERT CHANNELS AND THE REQUEST FOR ANOTHER POUND OF FRISON
VISITS) COULD HEAR THAT THEY ARE TAKING THE LAST ADVANTAGE BEFORE
RELEASING HIM, MORE PESSIMISTICALLY, THE OVES COULD BE AN INDICATION
THAT (SIC) THE RELEASE OF OTHER 13 COMMUNIST PEWSPAPER WORKERS AS WELL,
THIS MIGHT WELL BE THE FESULT OF PRESSURE BY THE LOCAL COMMUNISTS. IF
SO, THE
THE
CUESTION WOULD BE WHETHER THE ASKING PRICE WAS THE FINAL PRICE
CR WHETHER, FET BY FIRESS CY OUR PART, THE PEKING AUTHORITIES, ON THE
ASSUMPTICH THAT THEY NCK WISH TO SETTLE THE CREY CASE, MIGHT QUIETLY
DROP THEIR DEMAND, I THINK IT PREIATURE TC ATTEMPT AN ASSESSMENT OF
THIS.
2. EVEN IF THE CHINESE INTEND TO LET GREY OUT IN RETURE FOR HSEUH, WE
CANNOT EXPECT HIS RELEASE WITHIN A MATTER OF DAYS.
| CCLSIDERED CAREFULLY WITH CRADOCK WHETHER THERE MIGHT BE ADVANTAGE
IP RIS MAKING EARLY REPRESENTATIONS TO THE CHINESE ALONG THE LINES THAT
WE HOPED THAT THE RELEASE OF HSEUH WOULD BE MATCHED BY THE
RELEASE OF GREY. WE WERE BOTH OFFSET. WE THOUGHT THAT SUCH
CFPUS
A APPROACH MIGHT MERELY INCITE THE CUINEST TO NAME AN EXAGGERATED
SECRET
RICE
+
·
SECRET
2.
PRICE AND THAT WE OUCHT TO GIVE THEM A REASONABLE INTERVAL IN LPICH TO
REACT TO THE RELEASE OF HSEUH. I HOPE, THEREFORE,
THAT IN CUR PUBLIC STATEMENTS WE CAN INITIALLY CONFINE OURSELVES TO
SAYING SIPELY THAT WE TRUST THAT THE RELEASE OF HSELK HAS FACILITATED
THE RELEASE OF GREY, I PERSONALLY THINK THAT THERE IS STILL A FAIR
CHANCE THAT THE CHINESE WILL QUIETLY LET GUT GREY WITHIN THE KEXT (? GRP
OMITTED) WEEKS.
?. HOWEVER, IF AT THE END OF ABOUT THREE WEEKS THERE HAS BEEN NO MOVE
FROM THE CHINESE SIDE, INTEREST IN THE UK IS LIKELY TO BE SUCH THAT,
WHATEVER THE TACTICAL MERITS OF SUCH A NOVE, FORMAL REPRESENTATIONS
WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE TO THE CHINESE IN FEKING AND POSSIBLY ALSO IN
LONDON, WE MIGHT IN THIS WAY CSTAIN SOME CLEARER INDICATION OF CHINESE
INTENTIONS. THOUGH EVEN THEN IT MIGHT BE NO MORE THAN A STATEMENT THAT
WLESS WE STOPPED OUR SUPPRESSION OF COMMUNIST NEWSWORKERS IN HONG KONG
THERE WAS TO POSSIBILITY OF SETTLING THE GREY CASE. (YEANWHILE, THE
COVERT CONTACTS IN HONG KONG MIGHT HAVE ROUGHT SCHE CLARIFICATION).
4. AT THIS STAGE WE WOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY OF REVIEWING THE CASE WITH
THE GOVERNOR BEFORE HIS RETURN TO HONG KONG ON 15 DECEMBER. SEE P IF T.
ADVANCE COFY TO HR. KORETON BY 10.00 A.E. BST 18 NQÇİBER.
IR. TAGKE:ZIE
RELATED TO PELING AND HONG KONG /
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
ADVANCE COPIES SENT.
18
FAR EASTERN DET.
HONG HONG DEPT.
E. & 0. DET.
CONSULAR DEPT.
ND'S DEPA
INFONATION RESEARCH DEPT.
RES, ARCH DEED,
INFOEATION POLICY DEPT.
SECRET
CYPHER CAT A-
CONFIDENTIAL
TOP COPY
FE
18
PRIORITY
HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 2178
TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
15 NOVEMBER 1968
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No 3!
1 8. JV 1968 |
FEC130/1.
CONFIDENTIAL .
+
Jagre i57
A
PERSONAL FOR MORETON FROM MURRAY.
DUE TO FLY TO SEOUL THIS
MORNING. 1 PROPOSE TO REVIEW MY COMMENTS ON THE GREY CASE IN
THE LIGHT OF THE MOST RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND TO TELEGRAPH
IMMEDIATELY FROM THERE.
SIR D. TRENCH
FILES
FAR EASTERN DEPT.
HONG KONG DEPT.
E & O.D.
SIR J. JOHNSTON'
MR. MORETON
CONFIDENTIAL
I
•
HKKY12
27
TOP COPY
1
Cypher/Cat A
CONFIDENT IAL
PRIORITY PEKING TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
Telno 1028
CONFIDENT IAL
16 November, 1968
Addressed to FCO telegram No.1028 of 16 November, Repeated for
information to Hong Kong.
Hong Kong telegram No.2176 to Fco.
¡ RECEIVED IN
ARCHIVES No 3:
1 8 NOV 1968
FECIBC
Please telegraph any messages for Grey which his mother, Miss McGuinn or
Reuters would like passed to him in the event of our obtaining access.
FCO pass routine Hong Kong.
Mr. Cradock
FILES
Far Eastern Dept. Consular Dept. Hong Kong Dept.
Je porty,
Kid Mr
[Repeated as requested is the Compp\
Hesseps abă 1874
встри
round this!
Raphy smut pe goog
ре
до
88888
CONFIDENTIAL
Far Eastern Department
RECEIVED IN ARCHIVES No.31
18 NOV 1968
FECIBC/
13€/1.
Liter
16
Sebarisin
made
bursin
for p. 187,
Mr. Anthony Grey
Mr. Gerald Long, the General Manager of Reuters, who is to call on the
Secretary of State tomorrow afternoon, telephoned to me this morning. He
said that he thought it right to warn me before he saw the Secretary of
State that his attitude on the Grey case might be undergoing a change.
For some time now he had had reservations about the policy of the Hong
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.