CONFIDENTIAL
tried to water the assurances down, or even, on occasion, to deny their existence. We have therefore been forced to remind them. I enclose a copy of our telegram no. 96 to Saigon which details both the assurances and the wriggles of the South Vietnamese.
5.
When the group got back to Vietnam it emerged that one, called Truong Hong, had previously been condemned to death on smuggling charges. He had however given a false name in Hong Kong and had not disclosed that he was under sentence of death. He has subsequently been re-tried and sentenced instead to hard labour for life. We understand from Saigon that his sentence may well be reduced through the regular amnesties. I leave it to you to decide whether or not to mention this case to the High Commissioner for Refugees.
6.
The group on return to Vietnam was sent to a prison on Con Son Island. This initially caused some alarm because of its earlier reputation as a "hell-hole" which derived from the infamous tiger cage block publicised some years ago. This block now however seems to have been closed down. There is a steady stream of official visitors to the Island. Her Majesty's Ambassador and the Australian Ambassador both visited it recently. They formed the impression that the main prison was well run and had fewer restrictions than would be necessary in normal prisons because the Island was so far from the mainland.
7.
We shall be interested to know if the High Commissioner for Refugees seems disposed to pursue the case any further.
CC
HE Mr J C W Bushell CMG, SAIGON
Yours her,
Adow St
A C Stuart
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.
Nr A E Donald, Political Adviser, HONG KONG