CODE 18-77
RESTRICTED
M. Mos
17/12
Reference
Mr Wenban-Smith
W on extending phonecall!
7
See (c) below. done
copies: C. & DEA
04015
Mays
Mr Mays, BHC Victoria Hong Kong` Department Southern Africa Department
12C
PUSD
5/12
TELEPHONE CALL FROM SEYCHELLES ACTING HIGH COMMISSIONER
1. I received a telephone call this morning from Mr Delpech, Acting High Commissioner of Seychelles. He was phoning on three
accounts:
a)
Detention of alleged recruiters of Mercenaries in South Africa
The South African Foreign Minister, Mr Botha had told Mr Delpech that South Africa had closed its borders to Seychellois dissidents but that the British were free to come and go. It seemed to Mr Delpech that there was nothing that could be done against plotters working in Britain but the Seychelles people were frustrated by the inability to stop the activities of those working against his Government. I explained that if the Government of Seychelles had any evidence that alleged plotters had broken UK law we would be happy to pass on the information to the relevant authorities to consider prosecution but that Britain was a free and democratic society and that unless the alleged plotters had broken our law there appeared little that could be done against them. I had noted that in the Sunday Times of 4 December, Messrs Chow and Mancham denied being involved in this plotting. Mr Delpech said that there was no evidence against the alleged plotters: they were too clever for that. There would never be proof that they had broken the UK law. But was there not a law under consideration in the UK which would permit foreigners to be deported? I said that I understood that legislation was under consideration but did not know whether this would apply to Seychelles dissidents. Mr Delpech seemed to recognise that there was little that could be done in present circumstances.
(b) Ferrari
Mr Delpech said that Dr Ferrari had been 'too much of a gentleman' to mention to Sir John Leahy when they had met in Delhi, that the former Minister of External Relations, Hodoul, was working behind his back to undermine Ferrari's relationship with Britain. According to Delpech, Hodoul does not like the new approach Ferrari has introduced to Seychelles foreign policy and is asking what Ferrari has gained from being more friendly towards Britain. Ferrari is apparently concerned that he will lose his credibility if he cannot demonstrate tangible benefits deriving from his new approach and is seeking a gesture from us to help forestall this criticism. Mr Delpech said that he would be happy to come in and discuss this in more detail, and indeed would welcome the opportunity to do so before Christmas, so that he can report back to his Government.
(c) Hong Kong Involvement in Plotting Against Seychelles Government
Mr Delpech said he had heard that some Hong Kong financiers, who were considering their long term futures, might be behind plotting to overthrow the Seychelles Government. The motivation in this