IMMEDIATE
CYPHER/CAT A
GPS 160
FM F C O 13181GZ
CONFIDENTIAL.
DESKBY 140001Z
CONFIDENTIAL
KÒNG
CHK
33
TO IMMEDIATE GOVERNOR HONG KONG TELNO.583 OF 13 JUNE, 1973.
YOUR TELNO,640 : GODBER.
1. POLICE HAVE CONFIRMED THAT GODBER LANDED HEATHROW 9 JUNE. THEY HAVE EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT HE IS NOW AT RYE, SUSSEX, THOUGH THEY HAVE NOT INTERVIEWED HIM PERSONALLY, REPORTERS HAVE SPOKEN TO HIS WIFE AND ARE NOW CAMPED IN THE GARDEN WITH ORDERS
TO FOLLOW HIM IF HE LEAVES.
2.
HASTINGS POLICE HAVE BEEN ASKED BY INTERPOL TO CHECK ON HIS MOVEMENTS, BUT HAVE UNDERSTANDABLY ASKED IF ANY CHARGE IS PENDING. WE UNDERSTAND THROUGH ROBERTS AND THORNTON THAT THE DIFFICULTY IS TO FRAME CHARGES WHICH WOULD MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FUGITIVE OFFENDERS ACT. WE APPRECIATE THE PROBLEM. BUT, IF GODBER STAYS IN THIS COUNTRY, IT WILL BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULTY TO EXPLAIN, IN THE LIGHT OF TERMS OF REFERENCE OF YOUR ENQUIRY, WHY NO ACTION IS TAKEN AGAINST HIM: WHILE, IF HE DECIDES TO LEAVE, WE SHALL BOTH BE CRITIZED FOR LETTING HIM SLIP THROUGH OUR FINGERS TWICE. EITHER OF THESE DEVELOPMENTS WOULD STRENGTHEN DEMANDS FOR INTERVENTION FROM HERE,
3. ALL THIS, OF COURSE UNDERLINES THE ADVANTAGES OF SPEED IF EVIDENCE CAN BE FOUND TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE FUGITIVE
OFFENDERS ACT,
DOUGLAS-HOME
FILES
HKIOD
OPA
NEWS D
PS
PS/MR ROYLE
MR ROSE MR RUSHFORD
CONFIDENTIAL
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