CONFIDENTIAL
188
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180
Mr Male
PM
1/8
tet for despatch.
PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts
1.
HONG KONG: SOUTH VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS RETURNED TO SAIGON
Mr Martin Ennals, Secretary General of Amnesty International, has written to Lord Goronwy-Roberts to say that Mr AJ J Sanguinetti (a Hong Kong lawyer and a British subject, already known to us as a champion of individual liberties) has agreed to attend the forthcoming trial in Saigon. Mr Ennals asks if the FCO would "facilitate" Mr Sanguinetti's visit and says that he has advised Mr Sanguinetti (at present on a private visit to Bangkok) to contact H M Embassy, Bangkok.
2.
Mr Sanguinetti has asked if he could be met at Saigon airport. Though this would make a good impression on him, I do not think it is really necessary; we could leave it to Saigon's discretion. But I think we should do anything else we can to assist Mr Sanguinetti during his visit. He will then be less likely to stimulate public
criticism.
3. It seems from Mr Ennals's letter that Mr Sanguinetti will leave Bangkok for Saigon on about 6 he, and he will therefore presumably be in touch with HM Embassy, Bangkok, before then.
4.
I recommend that we should ask Saigon and Bangkok by telegram to do what they can to help Mr Sanguinetti, and I submit a draft which also (for Bangkok's benefit) sets out the general background. Lord Goronwy-Roberts will be away as from 11.30 a.m. on 1 August, but his Private Office have agreed that he need not see this draft. Mr Male may therefore like to send it off.
5.
I also submit a draft reply for Lord Goronwy-Roberts to send to Mr Ennals after his return, telling him of our request to Bangkok and Saigon and also quoting the text of the recent Vietnamese statement about how the 118 are being treated.
6.
SEAD concur.
Goronwy - Roberts
1 August 1974
сс SEAD
3/8
R.d. Com
R B Crowson
CONFIDENTIAL
Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.
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