2
Furthermore, the Vietnamese Minister for Information recently replied to a telegram from Amnesty International's headquarters in the following terms:-
"We can state that no case of death or injury has been reported among those detained prior to appearing in court, and we can also give the assurance that none of them has been sent to the front line."
Apart from those who are charged with illegal emigration, some 21 men have been identified as deserters and will subsequently face an additional trial by a military tribunal.. It is difficult to forecast what sentences might be imposed by this tribunal, since desertion is a relatively frequent occurrence in South Vietnam and the penalties depend very much on the precise circumstances of each case.
Yours faithfully,
BH Dinwiddy
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Department
silent cc: Chancery, STOCKHOLM
Page 15Page 16