1.
COVERING CONFIDENTIAL
Argument
C
4
An earlier leter from Mr Cahill making specific allegations of corruption against FCO officials received a detailed but robust reply. Although his motives are not clear, it seems likely that, in continuing to write, Mr Cahill is seeking to obtain official comment or information, which can then be used in the continuing efforts by Mr Osman to resist his extradition to Hong Kong. Replies to his E, F, G further letters have refrained from entering into substantive H, I argument but advised him that the courts are the appropriate place
to air his questions and allegations.
D
J
5 of the two letters he has recently addressed to Sir J Coles, that of 20 August reiterates allegations that the prosecution in the Osman case was corrupt, and that Government officials knew, and have concealed this. The letter of 3 September makes allegations about senior law officers in Hong Kong. The draft reply to the first refers Mr Cahill back to, and goes no further than, the replies given to his earlier letters on the same subject. HKD, Legal Advisers and Treasury Solicitors have been consulted and concur. The second draft is based on advice and information supplied by Hong Kong (their telno 2788) and has also been cleared with HKD and Legal
Advisers.
MA ARN
Lause Stanton
Miss L Stanton
COVERING CONFIDENTIAL