would from our point of view be most satisfactory course (paragraph 4 of
your telegram No.444 to Hong Kong).
868
2. If it is considered necessary to make announcement about Brooke case
before Grey's release, I would see some advantage in making public the
fact that we would have been prepared to. consider a request to release
of newsworkers on condition that they returned to China, as proposed in
paragraph 4 of telegram under reference. This would serve as public
indication to Chinese that this night also be a possibility in the case
of other confrontation prisoners.
FCO pass Hong Kong.
Mr. Denson.
FILES
HD. OF FAR EASTERN D. HD. E.E. & SOV. D.
HD. NEWS D.
HD. H.K.D.
HD. P.U.S.D.
P.S.
P.U.S.
P.S. TO LORD SHEPHERD
SIR T. BRIMELOW
SIR E. PECK
SIR L. MONSON
SIR S. TOM. INSON
Зох 500.
[Repeated as requested]
SECRET
TELEGRAM SECTION
Room 124 K.C.S
Communications Department F
Copy/ies of the following telegram has/have been sent
PEKING TRANO. 424 TO FCO
TO:
Box 500
ep
R203
PUSD.
fo
(Signed)...
(Department).
(Date)..
Action taken in Communications Department:
(Initials).
ي ليا
(Date)
28/7/69
AFTER ACTION THIS FORM SHOULD BE SENT TO THE APPROPRIATE REGISTRY FOR
RETENTION
YTC/I
I
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London S.W.1
18 July, 1969.
From The Minister of State
Face 124|1
170
1
pako 3817
856
I am rep lying to your letter of 28 June to Michael Stewart with which
you enclosed a letter from your constituent, Mr. Greenwood, the original
of which I am returning. A copy has been retained here.
The
Your constituent refers to "our man who is prisoner in China". As you
will know, there are thirteen British subjects at present in detention
in China. I assume however that your constituent is referring to Mr.
Grey, the Reuters correspondent who has been under house arrest for two
years and whose case has received most publicity in this country.
Chinese have linked Mr. Grey's detention specifically with a group of
newsworkers who are at present serving terms of imprisonment in Hong
Kong. The last of these is now due for release with full remission early
in October. The Chinese have indicated that once the newsworkers in Hong
Kong are released, Mr. Grey's
We hope freedom of movement will be restored. therefore Mr. Grey's
ordeal will end soon.
Our Charge d'Affaires in Peking, accompanied by the officer responsible
for the cases of British
Ron Atkins Esq., M.P. House of Commons.
+
ᅡ
subjects/
:
:
subjects in China, visited Mr. Grey by special arrangement with the
Chinese on Monday. They have reported that Mr. Gray is in good health
and that the conditions of his detention have been eased. He is now, for
instance, allowed longer periods of exercise and the use of his wireless
and books. He has indeed shown remarkable courage and resilience in the
face of totally unjustifiable Chinese action.
(SHEPHERD)
C
+
(URI) DE 391999 1,500 2/69 Hw.
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry No.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret.
Secret.
Confidential,
Restricted. Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
DRAFT
Letter
Type 1 +
To:-
Ron Atkina, Esq., M.P.,
House of Commons, LONDON, S.W.1.
From Lord Shepherd
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
I am replying to your letter of 28 June to Michael
Stewart with which you enclosed a letter from your
constituent, Mr. Greenfood, the original of which I an
Love. return berewith.
A dogy has been retained for our
filea.
I
Your constituent refers to "our man who is prisoner
in China". As you will know, there are thirteen
British subjects at present in detention in China. assume however that
your correspondent is referring to
Mr. Grey, the Reuters correspondent who has been under
house arrest for two years and whose case has received
most publicity in this country. The Chinese have
linked Mr. Grey's detention specifically with the
eases of a group of newsworkers who are at present
serving terms of imprisonment in Hong Kong. The last
of these is now due for release with full remission
early in October.
The Chinese have indicated that
once the newaworkers in Hong Kong are released,
Mr. Grey's freedom of movement will be restored. Te
hope therefore Hr. Grey's ordeal will end soon.
Our Chargé d'Affaires in Peking, accompanied by
the officer responsible for the cases of British
subjects in China, visited Mr. Grey by special
arrangement with the Chinese on Monday, They have
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
WELL 51-7406
reported that Mr. Grey is in good health and
that the conditions of his detention have been
eased. He is now, for instance, allowed longer
periods of exercise and the use of his wireless
and books. He has indeed shown remarkable
courage and resilience in the face of totally
unjustifiable Chinese action.
Mr. Godden
Detention of Mr. Anthony Grey in China
I attach a letter, presumably about Mr. Grey, from
Mr. Ron Atkins, M.P., to the Secretary of State, and a
draft reply from Lord Shepherd.
Lord Shepherd is
already aware of the background to Mr. Grey's case.
James Humay
(James Murray)
17 July, 1969.
July
899
pako 3017
1636
私
EL Hell
CONFIDENTIAL
pw 896
Far Eastern Department
402217
17 July, 1969.
I enclose a copy of a minute and speaking note which we prepared
somewhat hastily for a Cabinet meeting on 16 July registering our first
reactions to your visit to Grey. I don't think it will add much to your
knowledge of the subject but I thought you might like to see what line
we are taking.
J. B. Denson, Esq., OBE,
PEKINO.
(C. Wilson)
Private Secretary
CONFIDENTIAL
Enter &pa 2017/7
NOTE FOR CABINET
RECEIVED IN
REGISTRY NO. DO
21 JUL 1969
FEL 182/1
895
Visit to Mr. Anthony Grey
I attach for use by the Secretary of State in Cabinet,
a speaking note on the visit on 14 July by our Chargé
d'Affaires in Peking, Mr. Denson, to Mr. Anthony Grey,
the Reuters correspondent.
2. The visit passed off successfully.
Mr. Denson found
Mr. Grey fit and in reasonably good spirits, and, on the
assumption that he should be out in October, well able to
bear the strain of the remaining period of his detention.
3. The Chinese have spoken to us on two occasions recently
about Mr. Grey's release.
(a)
(b)
On 19 May, the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires in London
told us: "If all patriotic journalists in Hong Kong 7
were released, Grey's freedom of movement would be
restored. The Chinese Government means what it says."
On 11 July, the News Department of the Chinese Kinistry
of Foreign Affairs told Mr. Denson that as soon as the
newsworkers were released, Grey's freedom of movement
would be restored.
Though the phrase "Grey's freedom of movement would be
restored" might be taken to imply that the Chinese might
withhold an exit visa for him, I doubt if it should be given
CONFIDENTIAL
-
- 1 -
CONFIDENTIAL
this significance.
It is merely consistent with the
formula the Chinese used when they first detained him,
namely that they had "deemed it necessary to adopt
measures to restrict his freedom of movement".
Jam
(James Murray)
16 July, 1969.
CONFIDENTIAL
- 2 -
CONFIDENTIAL
SPEAKING NOTE
VISIT TO MR. ANTHONY GREY
Our Chargé d'Affaires in Peking, Mr. John Denson,
visited the Reuters correspondent, Mr. Anthony Grey, on
14 July. Previous visits had taken place in April and
November last year. Mr. Denson found him fit, and in
reasonably good spirits. Mr. Grey confirmed that the
conditions of his detention had been improved recently.
2. The main purpose of the visit was to ensure that
Mr. Grey had an authoritative account of recent develop-
ments having a bearing on his release; namely that the
Chinese have indicated to us here and in Peking that if
we release the newsworkers in Hong Kong they will remove
the restrictions on Mr. Grey's freedom of movement, and
that with the reduction of the sentence of the eleventh
newsworker in Hong Kong all eleven newsworkere will be
out of prison with full remission by 3 October.
took these points well. Now that he sees an end to the
tunnel it should not be too difficult for him to get
through these last few weeks of his detention.
Mr. Grey
3. I regard the statements the Chinese have recently
made to us about Mr. Grey as tantamount to a formal
assurance that they intend to release him when all the
newsworkers have been let out of prison in October
CONFIDENTIAL
1-
CONFIDENTIAL
although it is of course conceivable that they might
in the final instance find some pretext for going back
on their word. However the fact that they have begun
to improve Hr. Grey's conditions of detention also
suggests that they are now preparing him for release.
The world press have certainly drawn this conclusion;
and it will be the more difficult for the Chinese in view
of this publicity to change their price.
But I see
continuing advantage in refraining from public comment
about the weight to be attached to the Chinese assurances.
Far Eastern Department,
16 July, 1969.
CONFIDENTIAL
- 2 -
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THE ANE PODCTL 66ETGE PO GRAN()
Registry No.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
Top Secret.
Secret.
Confidential.
Restricted.
Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
DRAFT Letter
To:-
Ron Atkins, Esq., MP, House of Commons,
London, S.7.1.
Type 1 +
From
Lord Shepherd
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
I am replying to your letter of 28 June to Michael
Stewart with which you enclosed a letter from your
baed
constituent, Mr. Greenwood, the original of which I
return herewith. A copy has been retained for our
files.
Your constituent refers to "our man who is prisoner
in China". As you will know, there are thirteen British
subjects at present in detention in China. I assume
however that your correspondent is referring to
Mr. Grey, the Reuters correspondent who has been under
house arrest for two years and whose case has received
most publicity in this country. The Chinese have linked
Mr. Grey's detention specifically with the cases of a
group of newsworkers who are at present serving terms
of imprisonment in Hong Kong. The last of these is now
with full xmas com due for release/early in October, provided that full
remission for good behavio
indicated
is earned. The Chinese
have tile me that once the newsworkers in Hong Kong are
released, Mr. Grey's freedom of movement will be tayove
restored to him. We therefore hope and exped that
onded
Mr. Grey's detention will end early in October.
w 11
Our Chargé d'Affaires in Peking, accompanied by
the officer responsible for the cases of British
subjects in China, visited Mr. Grey by special
arrangement with the Chinese on Monday.
They have
/reported
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
WEL 51-3401
reported that Mr. Grey is in good health and
that the conditions of his detention have been
eased. He is now for instance allowed longer
eriods of exercise and the use of his wireless
nd books. He has indeed shown remarkable
courage and resilience in the face of totally
unjustifiable Chinese actions and we hope and
believe that his ordeal will come to an end
:
(ISH) DL. 391999 1.900 249 Hw.
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry No.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
To:-
Top Secret
Secret
Confidential
Restricted. Unclassified.
PRIVACY MARKING
וו11ידיוזי
In Confidence
DRAFT Submission
Type 1 +
Mr. Godden
From James Murray
Telephone No. & Ext.
Department
M.
1. Wil of
70177
Detention of Mr. Anthony buy in China
I attach a letter from Mr. Ron Atkins, MP to the
Secretary of State presumably about Mr. Grey) and a draft reply from
Lord Shepherd. Lord Shepherd is
already aware of the background to Mr. Grey's case.
Memes
17
7 July
+
CONFIDENTIAL
TOP COPY
892
CYPHER/CAT A
IMMEDIATE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
TELEGRAM NUMBER 236
TO PEKING
16 JULY 1969. (FED)
FEC 124/1
рас
pales w217
CONFIDENTIAL.
ADDRESSED TO PEKING TELEGRAM NUMBER 236 OF 16 JULY REPEATED FOR
INFORMATION TO HONG KONG, WASHINGTON AND POLAD SINGAPORE.
PRESS COMMENT ON VISIT TO GREY.
EXTENSIVE PRESS COVERAGE WAS GIVEN BY ALL THE NATIONAL DAILIES ON 15
JULY TO REPORTS OF YOUR VISIT TO GREY. THERE HAS BEEN
NO EDITORIAL COMMENT.
+
་
2. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS SOME SUB-EDITORIAL OVER SIMPLIFICATION IN
THE HEADLINES (QUOTE GREY TO BE SET FREE IN OCTOBER UNQUOTE - TIMES,
QUOTE CHINESE GIVE GREY RELEASE PLEDGE UNQUOTE DAILY EXPRESS, QUOTE TONY
GREY TO BE FREED IN ELEVEN WEEKS UNQUOTE DAILY MIRROR), COMMENT ON THE
QUESTION OF GREY'S RELEASE WAS GENERALLY CAUTIOUS. AFP REPORT FROM THEIR
PEKING CORRESPONDENT CARRIED BY
TIMES STATED THAT CHINESE ASSURANCES THAT GREY WILL BE SET
FREE BY OCTOBER WERE BASED ON A STATEMENT BY THE CHINESE CHARGE
D'AFFAIRES IN LONDON AND ALSO ON INTIMATIONS IN PEKING. IT ADDED
THAT QUOTE IT HAD BEEN HOPED FOR SOME WEEKS IN LONDON THAT MR. GREY
WOULD BE FREED IN OCTOBER. THESE HOPES, IF NOT FULLY CONFIRMED, WERE
CERTAINLY MUCH BRIGHTER NOW UNQUOTE. THE GUARDIAN COMMENTED
QUOTE THERE IS GUARDED OPTIMISM IN WHITEHALL THAT CHINA WILL END
THE HOUSE ARREST OF MR. GREY... ON OR ABOUT OCTOBER 3 UNQUOTE BUT
ADDED QUOTE WHAT THE CHINESE MEAN BY FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT IS
CONFIDENTIAL
/NOT
CONFIDENTIAL
-2-
NOT YET KNOWN UNQUOTE. ACCORDING TO THE DAILY EXPRESS FREEDOM OF
MOVEMENT IN PEKING MEANS THAT QUOTE HE WILL STILL HAVE TO APPLY
FOR AN EXIT PERMIT, OFTEN DIFFICULT TO GET UNQUOTE. THE SUN
POINTED OUT THAT QUOTE HE WILL NOT NECESSARILY BE GIVEN IMMEDIATE
PERMISSION TO LEAVE CHINA UNQUOTE. THE SUN ALSO CALLED FOR FURTHER
EFFORTS NOW TO SECURE GREY'S RELEASE BY THE EARLY RELEASE OF THE
NEWSWORKERS.
STEWART
DEPARTZENTAL DISTRIBUTION
F.E.D.
H.K.D.
NEWS DEPT.
I.R.D.
I.P.D.
RESEL.RCH DEPT.
CONFIDENTIAL
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Registry No.
DEPARTMENT
FED
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION PRIORITY MARKINGS
Top Secret тар
PREST Immediate
Confidential
Bedtime
Jólassified..
* Date and time (G.MT.) telegram should
reach addresses(s)
(Date)
Despatched
T
24. PP¶¶¶¶_¶¶¶-------.........LIJILJ
-----
Security_classification] -if any
CYPHER
CONFIDENTIAL
POJEOLJJILI
+
-------------
PRIVACY MARKING
[Se
-In Confidence-
En Clair.
[
Privacy marking -if any
1
ente
Cypher
Draft Telegram to:-
Peking
No.
(Date)
And to:-
MILE.
236
10/2
[Codeword-if any]
Addressed to
telegram No.
And to
236
--------------------2---------
LIII
PEKING
(date)
1612
repeated for information to
HONG KONG
POLAD SINGAPORE.
-
WASHINGTON,
Repeat to:-
Hong
Kong Washington
POLAD Singapore
Saving to:-
Distribution:- Departmental
FRD
Hong Kong News IRD IPD Research
Copies to:-
Saving to.
Press comment on visit to Grey.
Extensive press coverage was given by all the
national dailies on 15 July to reports of your visit
to Grey. There has been no editorial comment.
2.
Although there was some sub-editorial over
simplification in the headlines ("Grey to be set free
in October" Times, "Chinese give Grey release
-
1
pledge" - Daily Express, "Tony Grey to be freed in eleven weeks"
Daily Mirror), comment on the question
from the in Peking towards- of Grey's release was generally cautious.
AFP report,
carried by Times stated that Chinese assurances that Grey
will be set free by October were based on a state-
ment by the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires in London and
also on intimations in Peking. It added that "it had
been hoped for some weeks in London that Mr. Grey
would be freed in October, These hopes, if not fully
confirmed, were certainly much brighter now". The
/Quardian
Abathell
1615253
1
Guardian commented "There is guarded optimism in
Whitehall that Chins will and the house arrest of
Mr. Grey
on or about October 3" but added
"What the Chinese mean by freedom of movement is
not yet known". According to the Daily Express freedom of movement in
Peking means that "He will
still have to apply for an exit permit, often
difficult to get". The Sun pointed out that "he
will not necessarily be given immediate permission
to leave China". The Sun also called for further
efforts now to secure Grey's release by the early
release of the newsworkers.
(10342) Dd.39200
(77 sort) 1/8(G)
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.