TNAG-0497-FCO40-562-Deportation-of-foreign-nationals-from-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 174

CURT JUĽH "FAL

ASSURANCES BY THE SOUTH VIETNAMESE THAT RETURNED ILLEGALE Wound

NOT BE HARSHLY TREATED

(a) "draft dodgers did not face death penalty on return or anything like it" (Hong Kong telegram no. 621 quoting Vietnamese Consul-General).

(b) "no severe punishment awaits the group" (Hong Kong telegram no. 647 quoting Consul-General).

(c)

"Nothing serious should happen to the group, since they will be considered as innocent victims of the smuggling syndicate" (Hong Kong telegram no. 648 quoting Consul-General).

(a) "The Vietnamese Consul-General in Hong Kong had spoken under instructions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The due processes of law would be carried out: these did not include execution or torture. The only persons who would incur severo penalties would be the organisers of the smuggling syndicate" (Saigon telegrem no. 154 quoting Assistant for Political Affairs in Vietnamese MFA).

Subsequently, on 4 July the South Vietnamese Foreign Minister told Mr Hattersley that he could give straight away an assurance that the 118 who had violated the immigration/emigration laws would have a trial in open court and would not be harshly punished for these offences. He added that women and draft dodgers in particular would be treated lightly.

CONFIDENTIAL