.LL
Garonor, Hang
repeated for information to
-11---------------
...(date)
------- PINS
Peking UK. Minion Geneva.
21---~~---------I'LL
---||
זזז!!
ו...
2 - - ■'` --` -|
IMINNALLANI |
Repeat to:
toit
Saving to......
-
Your telegem No. 478.
The minis opereres. Confrontation Presoners
U..K.
We
with
a gree
your paragraph
Saving to:-
Distribution:-
Files
Copies to:-
F HKD.
* FED
Sith. Monsin.
گیاکہ می
suggest that last sentence should read as follows:
When the delegate of the I.C.R.C. visited Stanley Prisons on
1971
4 February,
there were 1,740 prisoners
strong sentences there all of whom whad brew tired and convicted in
been
the counts. Of these 67 had been Convicted of offences committed during
the 1967 disturbances.
stands the sentence might
be
Mr Wilford. 2. As it stands Hong Kong Good 1030/15/22 office. i read as
meaning that only 67 of the
Wish
JULI
LII
prismiss
1
prisoners had been tried by the
courts.
+
3. We are asking UK MIS Geneva, in
this telegram, to take parallel
FL NFORCE лесбия
action with ICRC, to very sore
representations referred to his your
paragraph 6.
ANB
(1088) ELORZ0059154m) (77orts) 1/68[C.W.8.£.s£Gp.96]
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
CONFIDENTIAL
PRIORITY
CYPHER CAT/A
F" HONGKONG 140745Z
CONFIDENTIAL
RECE
FEAT
TO PRIORITY F.C.O. TELEGRAM NO.478 OF 14TH JULY
COT
PRIORITY INFO CHARGE D AFFAIRES PEKING, HONGKONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE
LONDON AND U.K. MISSION GENEVA (F C O PLEASE PASS TO ALL)
CONFRONTATION PRISONERS
THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS PUBLISH FOR PRESS USE
INFORMATION NOTES CALLED QUOTE THE ICRC IN ACTION UNQUOTE.
L
2. A COPY OF ISSUE NUMBER 1588 DATED 10TH MARCH HAS APPARENTLY JUST
REACHED THE HONGKONG STANDARD HERE. IT CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE
QUOTE ON 4TH FEBRUARY 1971 THE
DELEGATE OF THE ICRC VISITED STANLEY PRISON HONG KONG. HE
SAW THERE 66 POLITICAL DETAINEES UNQUOTE.
3. THE SAME WORDS APPEAR IN THE APRIL ISSUE OF THE INTER-
NATIONAL REVIEW OF THE RED CROSS.
4. THE THEN LOCAL HONORARY DELEGATE (MR H HEFTI) DID VISIT THE PRISON
THAT DAY. HIS SUBSEQUENT REPORT WAS COPIED TO US.
AND CORRECTLY USED THE WORD *PRISONERS** THROUGHOUT.
5. WE HAVE BEEN ASKED FOR COMMENTS AND PROPOSE TO SAY:
QUOTE THIS REPORT IS VERY MISLEADING. THERE ARE NO POLITICAL
DETAINEES IN HONG KONG PRISONS. WHEN THE DELEGATE OF THE
ICRC VISITED STANLEY PRISON ON 4TH FEBRUARY 1971 THERE WERE 1,749
PRISONERS SERVING SENTENCES THERE, OF THESE 67 HAD BEEN TRIED BY THE
COURTS AND CONVICTED OF OFFENCES COMMITTED DURING
THE 1967 DISTURBANCES UNQUOTE.
6. THIS STATEMENT HAS BEEN AGREED WITH THE PRESENT HONORARY DELEGATE (MR
N.E, WEIBEL) WHO IS SEEKING AUTHORITY TO EXPLAIN THAT THE MISTAKE WAS AN
ERROR IN TRANSLATION AND IS ASKING
/THE RED
CONFIDENTIAL
новости я ป 1
93
CONFIDENTIAL
MIGHT
THE RED CROSS TO BE CIRCUNSPECT IN FUTURE. ANY ACTION THAT
BE POSSIBLE TO RE-INFORCE HIS REPRESENTATIONS WOULD
BE APPRECIATED.
7.
WE EXPECT THE HONG KONG STANDARD TO USE THIS MATERIAL
LATER IN THE WEEK.
+
TRENCH
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
BKD FED
I
-2- CONFIDENTIAL
+
+
+
IMMEDIATE
CYPHER CAT A
192
CONFIDENTIAL
(OP COPT
M PEKING 14/533Z
RC
IN
REGI
50
CONFIDENTIAL
[Cu2 1971
Fa
DESK BY 143920Z
TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELKO, 645 OF 14 JULY.
MY TELNC. 634:
4
COPFRONTATION PRISONERS.
1. TO ACHIEVE SOME EFFECT WITH THE CHINESE I SHOULD GET MY LETTER
TO THE MFA BY FIRST THING THURSDAY MORNING PEKING TIME AT THE LATEST.
GRATEFUL TO KNOW EY P180Z 15 JULY IF I MAY PROCEED.
DENSON
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
FED
HKD
PUSD
PCD
IRD
CONS D
GIPD
NEWS D
CONFIDENTIAL
Po 1617
THILDIARE
JPYER/CAT A
FN F.C.0. 131615Z
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
R
(淋
14
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TELEGRAM NO. 529 OF 13 JULY INFO PEKING.
YOUR TELEGRAM NO. 471: CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.
1. WE AGREE WITH THE TIMING YOU SUGGEST AND THE ACTION DENSON PROPOSES
TO TAKE (PARAGRAPH 2 OF PEKING TELEGRAM NO. 634).
2. WE DO NOT PROPOSE TO MAKE A SPECIAL POINT OF INFORMING THE CHINESE
HERE BUT WILL LET THEM KNOW IF A SUITABLE OCCASION ARISES.
DOUGLAS-HOME
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
FED
JKD
NHAN
.
CONFIDENTIAL
+
<617
91
I
NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN
Registry No.
DEPARTMENT
FE
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
JAIM
Top Secret
Plast
Secret
Confidential
Restricted
Unalteiled
PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
PRIORITY MARKINGS
Immediate Prority
• Date and time (G.M.T.) telegram should
(Date) -
Despatched
reach addressee(s)
13/7
2252
CYPHER
•Security_classification -if any
CONFIDENTIAL.
1-516152
HÙNG KON
...(date)
En Clair.
Code
Cyphe
Draft Telegram to:-
HONG/KONG No.
(Date)
ווייז
And to:-
[
Privacy marking -if any
[Codeword-if any]
Addressed to
1
telegram No..
CLJILLIANÇ---------‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒‒ ------ -----------
509. 13/7
And to
repeated for information to...
Saving to.....
ZKIN
ד
Rebert to:-
PEKING
[3]
Saving to:-
Your telegram No 471:
CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.
1. We agree with the timing you suggest and the action
Denson proposes to take (paragraph 2 of Peking telegram
No 634).
2.
We do not propose to make a special point of
informing the Chinese here but will let them know if a
suitable occasion arises.
Distribution:-
DEPARTMENTAL
FED HKD
16152
Bhhil
Copies to:-
Doll
1316202
CONFIDENTIAL
11/3
-
1
Flag
4
CONFIDENTIAL
Mr Wilford
CONFRONTATION PRISONERS
RE VED IN
RG
N-.50 4,50
14 JUL 1971
Бен EH 14/1
1. I should like to reply to Hong Kong telegram No 471
on the lines of the attached draft.
2.
Hong Kong Department concur.
12 July 1971
SALM ugyan
J A L Morgan
Far Eastern Department
CONFIDENTIAL
(90)
PRIORITY
CYPHER CAT A
CONFIDENTIAL
* AMENDED COPY (13 JULY)
FI PEKING 1203102
CONFIDENTIAL
P
L
RECEIVED IN
REĢISTRYN.
14 JUL 1971
·TER
TO PRIORITY FCO TELNO, 634 OF 12 JULY INFO PRIORITY HONG KONG.
HONG KONG TELNO. 471:
$1
CONFRONTATION PRISONERS
1. I SEE ADVANTAGE IN THE TIMETABLE PROPOSED IN PARAGRAPH 7 AS
IT VILL ENABLE US TO MAKE A FURTHER COMMUNICATION TO THE CHINESE
IN SEPTEMBER AND AVOID GIVING THE IMPRESSION THAT WE HAVE COME TO
A FULL STOF, THIS IS THINKK DESIRABLE WHILE NEGOTIATIONS FOR AN
EXCHANGE OF AMBASSADORS ARE PROCEEDING.·
2. UNLESS YOU SEE OBJECTION I PROPOSE TO SEND A LETTER ON 14 JULY
TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE WESTERN EUROPEAN AND AMERICAN DEPARTMENT,
IFORNING HIN OF THE RELEASE OF THE FIRST EIGHT* PRISONERS.
DENSON
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
FID.
FUSD
FROT & CONF DEFT
CONSULAR D
GIFD
MOMS.D
CONFIDENTIAL
+
PRIORITY
CYPHER CAT/A
CONFIDENTIAL
TOP COPY
HONG KONG 10/9315Z
CONFIDENTIAL
TO PRIORITY F C O TELEGRAM NUMBER 472 CF 10 JULY INFO PRIORITY
PEKING.
85
MY TELEGRAM NO. 472. 2452?/
CONFRONTATION PRISONERS,
NAMES AND RELEASE DATES FOLLOW:~
MA SHU -KEUNG
16.7.71
YIM KUN -SAU 16.7.71
LING SUET -KEUNG
16.7.71
FUNG MOON
16.7.71
SO PUN
16.7.71
NG KIN-PIU
16.7.71
CHAU SIK-KEUNG 12.8.71
TSANG FAI➡MING 13.8.71
CHAN WING-CHEUNG 13.9.71
IP YUEN-KWAN - 4.10.71
CHAN HON 18.13.71
CHAN CHOI 18.1.71
WAN KI 21.11.71
TRENCH
FILES
HKD
FED
SIR S TOMLINSON
NNNNN
x
Pro 1317
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED/
MR WILFORD
PS TO MR ROYLE
CONFIDENTIAL
PRIORITY
CYPHER/CAT A
FT! HONG KONG 1003202
CONFIDENTI AL
CONFIDENTIAL
Tur
Lur
TO PRIORITY F C O TELEGRAM NUMBER 471 OF 13 JULY 1971*PRIORITY
UFO PEKING.
MY TELEGRAM 198 TO YOU: CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.
FEA
THE PRISON BOARD OF REVIEW MET AGAIN ON 17 JUNE AND RECOMMENDED
REDUCTIONS IN THE SENTENCE OF 13 CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.
I HAVE ACCEPTED THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
2. OF THE 13 CONCERNED, FOUR WERE DUE FOR RELEASE IN 1972
AND NINE IN 1973. THEIR SENTENCES RANGED FROM SEVEN YEARS TO
NINE YEARS. THE BOARD OF REVIEW'S' RECOMMENDATIONS WERE THAT
THE SENTENCES SHOULD BE REDUCED IN SIX CASES TO FIVE YEARS AND
IN SEVEN CASES TO SIX YEARS.
IX YEARS. A LIST OF NAMES AND NEW DATES
OF RELEASE IS IN M I FT. FULLER DETAILS FOLLOW BY BAG.
3. THE RESULTS OF THESE DECISIONS ARE THAT SIX PRISONERS WILL
BE RELEASED ON JULY 16, TWO IN AUGUST, ONE IN SEPTEMBER,
THREE IN OCTOBER AND ONE IN NOVEMBER.
4.
THERE ARE AT PRESENT 37 CONFRONTATION PRISONERS HELD IN
STANLEY. APART FROM THE 13 HOW TO BE RELEASED THIS YEAR ON THE
BOARD'S RECOMMENDATIONS, ONLY ONE OTHER PRISONER IS DUE FOR RELEASE THIS
YEAR. IN OTHER WORDS, AT THE END OF THE YEAR WE EXPECT TO HAVE IN
STANLEY 23 CONFRONTATION PRISONERS.
5. THE BOARD OF REVIEW WILL CONTINUE TO MEET IN THE ORDINARY
WAY, ITS NEXT MEETING WILL DE IN SEPTEMBER. BUT ALL THE LIKELY
CASES FOR REDUCTION OF SENTENCE HAVE NOW BEEN CAREFULLY EXAMINED
BY THE BOARD AND BY ME. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT ONE OR TWO PRISONERS
MAY AT ASOME TIME IN THE FUTURE HAVE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THEIR
FAVOUR BY THE BOARD OF REVIEW BUT IT WOULD BE UNIISE TO COUNT
UPON IT AND IT IS CERTAIN THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE 23 LEFT
AT THE END OF THE YEAR WILL NOT. THIS REFLECTS THE SIMPLE
FACT THAT WE ARE LEFT MAINLY WITH OFFENDERS WHO ARE KNOWN TO
HAVE COMMITTED VIOLENT ATTACKS UPON THE POLICE AND OTHER CITIZENS.
IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE OF COURSE THAT A MEDICAL OR COMPASSIONATE
CASE WILL ARISE. WE HAVE A REGULAR PROCEDURE FOR REVIEWING SUCH
CASES.
CONFIDENTIAL
/6. WE HAVE IN OTHER WORDS
of 1817
I
r
.CONFIDENTIAL
6.
WE HAVE IN OTHER WORDS VIRTUALLY COME TO THE END OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF RELEASING CONFRONTATION PRISONERS ON RECOMMENDATIONS
FROM THE BOARD OF REVIEW.
1
7. IT IS FOR CONSIDERATION HOW MUCH SHOULD BE SAID TO THE CHINESE
GOVERNMENT. YOU WILL CERTAINLY WISH TO GIVE THEM THE USUAL ONE
OR TWO DAYS' NOTICE OF THE SIX RELEASES TO TAKE PLACE ON FRIDAY
JULY 16. IT SEEMS TO ME INADVISABLE TO GIVE THEM NOW THE FULL
PICTURE OF RELEASES UP TO NOVEMBER BECAUSE IT MIGHT
UNNECESSARILY DRAW THEIR ATTENTION, TO THE FACT THAT AT THE END
OF THE YEAR THERE WILL BE 23 ODD PRISONERS STILL IN GAOL. 1 HOPE
MOREOVER NOTHING WILL BE SAID WHICH MIGHT ENCOURAGE AN IMPRESSION THAT
ALL WILL BE RELEASED BY THEN. I SUGGEST THAT IT MIGHT
BE BEST TO TELL THE CHINESE IN THE
FIRST STAGE OF THE SIX PRISONERS
TO BE RELEASED ON JULY 16 AND THE TWO TO OE RELEASED ON 12
AND 13 AUGUST AND THEN ON ABOUT 10 SEPTEMBER TO INFORM THEM
OF THE FURTHER FIVE RELEASES PLANNED FOR SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER AND
NOVEMBER. WẸ WOULD MAKE A LOW LEVEL PRESS RELEASE ON THE SAME LINES ON
JULY 16. I SHOULD BE GLAD TO KNOW WHETHER YOU AGREE
WITH THIS TWO-BITE PROCEDURE.
TRENCH
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED I
DEPARTMENTAL DISTRIBUTION
FED
HKD
PUSD IRD
CONS D GIPD NEWS D
-2-
CONFIDENTIAL
+
+
L
MJ 2% Mr. Wilfre
TRICTED
Походам
Mr. Morgan. Ilmantrais that I subsequent minham not very happy 129.
about this meeting taking place wow
Mr. Morgan, FED
the matter in жене
186
But let us Hcamider
september. A.R.
I met the Chinese Chargé d'Affaires the other night at the Pakistan High
Commission. He raised with me again the question of confrontation
prisoners in Hong Kong mentioning that he hoped the satter would be
resolved by the time the present Governor's tour of duty came to an end.
I said to Mr. Fei that, as he knew, we had the question of confrontation
prisoners very much in mind.
It was, however, not an saay question to resolve though we knew what the
Chinese position was. It was cost important for us to proceed within the
law or there could be serious problems in Hong Kong. As he knew,
releases which had taken place so far had been on the advice of the
Prison Board of Review and this we thought as the correct way to
proceed.
2.
Mr. Fei then maked me when ir D. Tranon would be leaving and what Sir M.
Xaciehose's plans were for taking up his ost, I said that Sir D. Trench
would
French would be leaving about the middle of üstüber and there would
probably be a gap of three weeks to a month between his departure and
the new Governor's arrival, I asked Mr. Fei if he had ever set Sir V.
KaeLehose and he said he had not done so. I said that 8ir M. Maalehose
would be in London from time to time over the next few months and
enquired if he would be interested in musting him if this could be
arranged. He did not give me any particular answer to this.
3. I understand that at his nesting with Mr. Royle this morning he
mentioned our conversation and said that he would like to ment Sir M,
NaoLehoue if this was possible, Mr. Royle, I gather, has some doubts
whether this wold be a good thing suggesting that the Chinese might be
able tɔ represent in some way that Fr. Pei was giving the new Governor
the onos over. I recognise that this in a rosaibility though I rather
doubt if the Chinese would take this attitude if indeed a meeting were
arranged. I had in mind that if a Boeting took place - and this wold be
dependent in the first place u; on Girl. Macŭenese saying that he was
agreeable it should be on
-
-
a social occasion, e.g. Mr. Pel is coming to lunch with me at home on 10
July. In the past there used to be contacts of an unofficial kind
between the Gover:ørs of Hong Kong and officials in Chian. For example,
I recall ir A. Grantham paying a visit to the Chargé d'Affaires in
Peking in the course of which informal meetings were arranged. For
myself I would see no objection te Er. Pai and the Governor-designate
meeting informally, but if Ɛir M, NaoLehose or Mr. Royla were against
this I think that it willnot be difficuit to get out of the meeting on
the grouide that Sir H. MaeLehose will shortly be travelling abroad for
a month or more and that he will be vory busy with final briefing when
he is next in London,
a
22 June 1971
Copies to:
KM
M Milford
FEST 14/1
Jur.
Mr. Logan Hong Kong Department
Kr Wilford
Sir M MacLehose
Mr Logan
inth
RESTRICTED
MEETING BETWEEN THE CHINESE CHARGÉ D'AFFAIRES AND
THE GOVERNOR DESIGNATE OF HONG KONG
1. Mr Wilford's minute of 22 June.
મ
2.
I think that Mr P'ei's statement to Mr Royle on 22 June has rather
changed the situation. He would never have raised it with a Minister
without having referred to Peking and been instructed to accept Mr
Wilford's offer. For us now to refuse could be seen by the Chinese as a
hardening of our policy.
3. I think that the arguments for and against the meeting are in fact
finely balanced. Kr P'el could raise sensitive issues such as a Chinese
Commissiour for Hong Kong. The Chinese could also argue that as he had
met Mr P'ei Sir M MacLehose should have no difficulty in regular
dealings with a designated Chinese in Hong Kong. It could give the
Chinese an excuse for saying they had met and approved of the new
Governor although I think it would be unlikely for them to be so rash as
to commit themselves at this stage. This argument also cannot be
sustained on the timing.
4. On the other hand it could start the new Governor on a basis which
could lead to the more workmanlike relations with the Chinese which have
been our aim. It would give him an opportunity to explain the reality
and complexity of aspects of the Hong Kong Government in particular the
working of the Prison Board of Review. On balance I think that the point
in my paragraph 1 above is overriding. Both Mr Laird and I attach the
greatest importance to Sir M MacLehoae's wishes. Te both spoke to him
about this yesterday. Sir M MacLehoa e said that the issues were finely
balanced and that as he would not be available for 2 months we could
mull them over. He Bubsequently came to my office and said that his
inclination was in favour of a meeting but he would like it arranged as
informally as possible. He proposed that he should "drop in for a drink"
at my house when Plei was there for dinner (we had not then seen Mr
Wilford's proposal) I am not sure that we
need be quite so byzantine if a decision in favour were taken. He asked
that Hong Kong should not be consulted. I told him that they would be
receiving a copy or the record of Nr P'ei's talk with Mr Royle. Sir M
MacLehose asked to see the Department's views after Mr Wilford had had
an opportunity to comment but before submission to Ministers.
+
RESTRICTED
1
-
ג.
+
RESTRICTED
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.