RESTRICTED
4. ALL THE ABOVE ARE IN CUSTODY IN DAN NANG WHERE THEY ARE
STILL BEING QUESTIONED, WYNBURNE TOLD THE MINISTRY THAT WE WERE
DISTURBED TO FIND THAT HE HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THEIR ARREST
REFORE, THAT THEY HAD DEEN IN CUSTODY FOR OVER TWO MONTHS AND
THAT NO CHARGES HAD BEEN BROUGHT AGAINST THEM. ALTHOUGH THEY
ARE RAID TO FAVE ADMITTED THEIR GULILT THUY IMPLIED THAT THE
VIETNAMESE ARE LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE BOAT MAY
HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES (WE NEED TO MAKE SURE
THEY ARE NOT SPIES''), THUY APOLOGISED FOR NOT HAVING INFORMED
US BEFORE, BUT THEY HAD ONLY JUST RECEIVED THE REPORT OF THE
ARREST THEMSELVES.
5. THE INFORMATION WAS ISSUED TOGETHER WITH A REQUEST THAT THE
APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES WARN FISHERMEN NOT TO VIOLATE VIETNAMESE
TERRITORIAL WATERS IN FUTURE. WHEN ASKED IF IT WOULD BE
POSSIBLE TO VISIT THE DETAINEES, THE CONSULAR OFFICIAL SAID IT
WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE YET.
6. THUY COULD GIVE NO MORE DETAILS (IE NEXT OF KIN) BUT SAID
THAT HE WOULD INFORM US AS SOON AS HE RECEIVED NEWS. WE TOLD
HIM WE WOULD INFORM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WHO MIGHT WISH US
TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION REGARDING THE PROTECTION OF ITS CITIZENS.
FINALLY WE MADE A PLEA THAT THE DETAINEES BE CHARGED AS SOON
AS POSSIBLE OR ELSE BE RELEASED,
7. PLEASE LET US KNOW WHETHER YOU WISH US TO TAKE ANY FRURTHER
ACTION TO SECURE THEIR RELEASE.
FCO PLEASE PASS
TONKIN
MINIMAL
HK & GD
SEAD CONS D
[PASSED AS REQUESTED]
[THIS TELEGRAM WAS NOT ADVANCED]
COPIES TO
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE, LONDON
2
RESTRICTED