SECRET
FM HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 29130OZ PARIS
TELNO 5
OF 291145Z MAY 90
INFO IMMEDIATE FCO
SECRET
161305
MDHIAN 2493
нкв 384/
EW
JUN 1990
JES
NDE.
PERSONAL FOR AMBASSADOR AND HEAD OF CHANCERY, FROM GOVERNOR FCO STRICTLY PERSONAL FOR PAUL HKD
DR RAIS BIN SANIMAN
1. YOU MAY BE AWARE THAT A REQUEST WAS MADE IN 1986 BY MY
PREDECESSOR FOR THE EXTRADITION FROM FRANCE TO HONG KONG OF RAIS BIN SANIMAN, IN CONNECTION WITH SUBSTANTIAL FRAUD INVOLVING BUMIPUTRA MALAYSIA FINANCE LIMITED (BMFL). THE FRENCH COURT MADE A
RULING IN NOVEMBER 1987 DECLINING TO MAKE AN ORDER FOR SANIMAN'S RETURN.
2. FURTHER TO CONFIDENTIAL DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN SENIOR MEMBERS OF
THE HONG KONG ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CHAMBERS AND THE FRENCH LAW OFFICERS, IT HAS NOW BEEN AGREED THAT A FRESH REQUEST FOR SANIMAN'S EXTRADITION BASED UPON NEW FACTS BE PRESENTED TO THE FRENCH AUTHORITIES. IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT SANIMAN SHOULD NOT (NOT) BE
ALERTED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY TO THE PROPOSED FRESH REQUEST.
3. THE BMFL CASE IS A HIGHLY COMPLEX ONE. I SHOULD LIKE, SUBJECT TO YOUR AGREEMENT, TO SEND GRAHAM GRANT, A MEMBER OF MY ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CHAMBERS, TO PARIS WITH THE FRESH REQUEST AND ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS. WE WOULD BE MOST GRATEFUL IF, ON OUR BEHALF, A MEMBER OF THE EMBASSY, ACCOMPANIED BY GRANT, COULD PRESENT THE REQUEST TO THE QUAI ON THE AFTERNOON OF 31 MAY IF POSSIBLE. THE FRENCH PROCUREUR GENERAL AND AVOCAT GENERAL HAVE TOLD
US THAT THEY ARE PREPARED IMMEDIATELY TO ARREST SANIMAN.
4. COULD YOU PLEASE CONFIRM THAT YOU WOULD BE CONTENT TO PROCEED IN THIS WAY? GRANT WOULD IF POSSIBLE LIKE TO CALL ON YOUR HEAD OF CHANCERY TO MAKE THE APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS ON THE MORNING OF 31 MAY, BETWEEN 10.00 AM AND LUNCH.
WILSON
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