conditionally released. Hé was aware that this was no longer the case but is still contemplating asking the Ministry of Information if they would fly him there. Amnesty International asked for a report on the island which they said would "of course be publicised". The Ministry of Information have also invited him, if he has the time, to visit a Ministry re-education centre for ralliers.
5. On the question of an interpreter, Mr Sanguinotti said that he recognised it might be embarrassing for the Embassy to be asked to help him to find one. He was therefore making arrangements through International Social Services. In general he was very understanding about the amount of official help which could be offered to him and asked only that he should be seen off at the airport on Saturday. He appears to have considerable fears that he might suffer physical attack of some sort while in Saigon.
6.
I felt obliged to remark to him that the Ennals telegram taking up the Hong Kong rumours of ill- treatment on Con Son is la nd was in my opinion ill- judged and deserved the sort of reply that Mr Wha had sent. Mr Sanguinetti claimed to agree with me. He added that similar telegrams had been sent to Edward Kennedy and the Aga Khan among others.
7. I played a largely passive role in the discussion. I did, however, tell him that the British Embasey would of course be keeping an eye on the trial and would probably have an observer present. I addcd that this was perhaps less significant than it might secm since the foreign press would also be kon observers. I also told him that according to my latest information the trial might well not take placo this month. Mr Sanguinetti commented that in that case he could go away on his two months' holiday with a clear conscience, though if it took place in October he might be asked by Amnesty International to sit in as an observer. He is now on his way to London wiren he will be reporting to his headquarters and, depending on the outcome of his visit, may prove the reason for a further approach in the FCO.
8 August 1974
J C W Bushell
cc:
C W Squire Esq MVO, South-East Asian Department
FCO
5
DMUND ICRED