CONFIDENTIAL
HKB
CONFIDENTIAL
400 / 1
RECEIVED IN USTRY
20FEB 1990
TO DESKBY 22100OZ FCO-
FM HONG KONG
DESK
INDEX
TELNO 285
OF 22070OZ JANUARY 90
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING, CARACAS
113
037076 MDHIAN 3316
TOP CO ODIST?
MOAKES LETTER TO CANNON 21 NOVEMBER 1989: ALLEGATION OF CORRUPTION AGAINST ACTING CONSUL-GENERAL OF VENEZUELA, GONZALO RAMIREZ CALLES
1. INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (ICAC) SAYS IT NOW HAS SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO JUSTIFY ARREST OF RAMIREZ (THE FINAL DECISION ON PROSECUTION IN ICAC CASES RESTS WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL).
2. THE OFFENCES RAMIREZ IS SUSPECTED OF HAVING COMMITTED ARE CONTRARY TO SECTION 9 OF THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE. ICAC BELIEVES RAMIREZ HAS CORRUPTLY RECEIVED HONG KONG DOLLARS ONE POINT FOUR MILLION SINCE JULY 1989. HOWEVER NO (NO) ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN AS LEGAL OPINION HERE IS THAT THE MATTER SHOULD BE REFERRED TO THE FCO FOR ADVICE.
3 THERE IS NOW FURTHER COMPLICATION. RAMIREZ HAS TOLD US INFORMALLY THAT HE EXPECTS TO BE TRANSFERRED FROM HONG KONG AT THE END OF FEBRUARY (WE HAVE NO EVIDENCE THAT THE ICAC INVESTIGATION AND RAMIREZ'S DEPARTURE ARE CONNECTED BUT THIS IS A DISTINCT POSSIBILITY). IF RAMIREZ LEAVES HONG KONG IT WILL BE VERY DIFFICULT TO RETURN HIM FOR TRIAL. DIFFICULTIES MAY ALSO ARISE OVER THE PROSECUTION OF THE SEVEN INDIVIDUALS ALREADY ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF MAKING CORRUPT PAYMENTS TO RAMIREZ.
4. WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR GUIDANCE ON HOW BEST TO PROCEED. THE BEST SOLUTION FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW WOULD BE FOR THE VENEZUELANS TO WAIVE IMMUNITY.
5. THIS MAY NOT (NOT) BE THE ONLY CASE OF ITS TYPE: THERE IS EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT PASSPORT AND VISA MALPRACTICES IN HONG KONG ARE A GROWTH INDUSTRY.
WILSON
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