XN000022-1994-06-15 — Page 2

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15, 1994

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WHITEHEAD INCIDENT INQUIRY REPORT PUBLISHED

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PUBLISHED THE REPORT OF THE INQUIRY BY TWO JUSTICES OF THE PEACE INTO THE EVENTS SURROUNDING THE REMOVAL OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS FROM THE WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRE ON APRIL 7, 1994.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ACCEPTED THE FINDINGS AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE TWO JUSTICES OF THE PEACE (JPS).

THE REPORT GIVES A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE REMOVAL OPERATION, INCLUDING A DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILD-UP OF TENSION IN THE CAMP BEFORE APRIL 7, THE RATIONALE FOR THE OPERATIONAL PLAN, THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS ON THE DAY AND A DESCRIPTION OF THE INJURIES RECEIVED DURING THE OPERATION.

THE JPS HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THE DECISION TO EMPTY SECTION 7 OF WHITEHEAD WAS A CORRECT ONE AND THAT THE DECISION NOT TO FOREWARN THE INMATES OF SECTION 7 OF THE MOVE WAS ON BALANCE APPROPRIATE, ALTHOUGH THEY RECOMMEND THAT THIS PRACTICE SHOULD NOT BECOME THE NORM.

THE JPS ALSO AGREE THAT THE L'ORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ACTED CORRECTLY IN DEPLOYING SUCH A LARGE CONTINGENT IN THE OPERATION.

THE REPORT CONFIRMS THAT THERE WAS NO DELIBERATE COVER-UP BY THE GOVERNMENT. IT ALSO CONFIRMS THAT THE INCIDENT RESULTED IN NO FATALITIES OR SERIOUS INJURIES, THOUGH BURNS AND MINOR INJURIES WERE, REGRETTABLY, SUSTAINED.

THE JPS ACCEPT THAT THE USE OF MACE, AND WHEN THAT WAS NOT EFFECTIVE, THE USE OF TEAR GAS, WAS THE MINIMUM LEVEL OF FORCE IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

THE REPORT IS, HOWEVER, CRITICAL OF OTHER ASPECTS OP THE OPERATION. IT CONCLUDES THAT MACE AND TEAR GAS WERE FIRED TOO SOON, THAT AT A LATER STAGE ATTEMPTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE VIETNAMESE BEFORE FURTHER AND EXCESSIVE TEAR GAS WAS USED, THAT THE PROCESSING OF VIETNAMESE TRANSFERRED TO CHI MA WAN WAS UNSATISFACTORY, THAT INADEQUATE CARE WAS TAKEN WITH THE BELONGINGS THE VIETNAMESE AND THAT THE HANDLING OF THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION THE PUBLIC WAS INEPT.

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"WE AGREE WITH THE JPS THAT THERE ARE VERY IMPORTANT LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FOR THE FUTURE. WE ACCEPT THE CRITICISMS AND WE WELL. ACT ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE HANDLING OF SUCH OPERATIONS IN THE FUTURE," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

THE JPS HAVE CONCLUDED THAT SOME VIETNAMESE WERE ASSAULTED DURING THE OPERATION.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "THIS IS A SERIOUS AND DISTURBING FINDING. SUCH BEHAVIOUR BY OFFICIALS IS UNACCEPTABLE. COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE POLICE BY A NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE AND AN INVESTIGATION 15 UNDER WAY.

/"A REPORT