CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 1623
OF 05160OZ SEPTEMBER 91
CONFIDENTIAL
HKD 384/1
69
071163
MDHOAN 0061
TOP COPY Q DIST?
pa.
LORRAIN OSMAN: LETTER FROM KEVIN CAHILL TO SIR J COLES
1.
SIR J COLES HAS RECEIVED ANOTHER LETTER FROM KEVIN CAHILL THE JOURNALIST WHO TAKES A PARTICULAR INTEREST IN THE CONDUCT OF THE OSMAN TRIAL. HE CONTINUES TO RIDE THE FAMILIAR HOBBY-HORSE OF ALLEGED IRREGULAR ACTIVITIES OF THE HONG KONG LAW OFFICERS ENGAGED IN THE OSMAN PROSECUTION, BUT THIS TIME INTRODUCES A NEW ANGLE DRAWN FROM THE REPORT OF THE LAYTON TRIAL. TEXT FOLLOWS:
QUOTE
I HAVE BEFORE ME A REPORT OF THE LAYTON TRIAL, RECENTLY COMPLETED IN HONG KONG. FROM THE TRANSCRIPT IT APPEARS THAT THE SENIOR LAW OFFICERS IN HONG KONG, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE DPP, WERE IN THE HABIT OF OFFERING LARGE SUMS OF MONEY TO ''RECOVER'' FUGITIVES FROM OTHER COUNTRIES AROUND THE REGION.
I DO NOT NEED TO POINT OUT TO YOU THAT, ONCE OFF THE TERRITORY OF HONG KONG, AND ON THE TERRITORY OF ANOTHER STATE, SUCH ACTIVITIES CONSTITUTE THE CRIME OF BRIBERY AND KIDNAPPING. IS IT THE POLICY OF HMG TO ENCOURAGE SENIOR OFFICIALS TO PROCURE THE COMMISSION OF SERIOUS CRIME IN THE TERRITORY OF FRIENDLY STATES? IF IT IS, WOULD YOU LET ME KNOW WHAT STATUTE AUTHORISES THIS ACTIVITY?
AS YOU KNOW, THE DEPUTY DPP IN HK AT THE TIME COVERED BY THE MATTER IN THE LAYTON TRIAL IS NOW A CONVICTED CROOK. HOWEVER, IT WAS THE OTHER TWO LAW OFFICERS WHO, IN APPARENT DEFIANCE OF THE GOVERNOR'S MISGIVINGS, ORDERED THE PROSECUTION OF LORRAIN OSMAN BY THE JAILED REID. THAT THEY WERE BOTH ENGAGED IN SUSPECT, EVEN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES THEMSELVES, ONLY ADDS TO THE WELL CHRONICLED HISTORY OF IRREGULARITY IN THE OSMAN CASE. I AWAIT YOUR REPLY WITH INTEREST.
UNQUOTE
GRATEFUL FOR YOUR ADVICE ON HOW TO RESPOND TO THE POINTS RAISED, IF POSSIBLE DESKBY 09093OZ.
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