TNAG-0559-FCO40-654-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-into-othe-1975 — Page 94

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to assess the best line of development for Amnesty International and its work for prisoners and to explore the possibility of establishing appropriate forms of membership".

The Latin American field secretary has made contact with a large number of potential members, has held discussions with sympathetic organizations, and has approached a number of publishing houses with a view to their handling Spanish- language editions of AI publications. He has also sought the support of lawyers, members of the medical profession, and military veterans who might take part in future Al missions. The problems and achievements of the AI national sections in Mexico and Peru have been discussed with them and suggestions put forward for reorganization of their future work.

In an interim report the field secretary has stressed the importance of building up the number of international members in the third world, this form of member- ship being particularly well suited to isolated supporters. At the same time he warns that as AI becomes better known in Latin America, the flow of informa- tion to the International Secretariat will increase, and this will inevitably lead to new and intensified demands on the Research Department.

The European national sections have continued to expand both in groups and membership, though greater emphasis has been given this past year to the con- solidation and improvement of existing groups. Several national sections have concentrated on establishing coordination, action and CAT groups.

The majority of sections have actively responded to requests from the secretariat for urgent actions and in many instances have initiated exhibitions, demonstrations, and other activities on behalf of prisoners or to promote the work of Al as a whole. It is not possible to list these in detail in the limited space available.

The Belgian Section has doubled the number of its groups and members and the first Flemish-speaking groups have been established. In France, there has been a rapid increase in groups and several more are in the process of formation. A number of coordination groups have been formed. The section translates the Amnesty International Newsletter for the other French-speaking sections and has helped the secretariat with other translation work and in the coordination of joint activities.

The main efforts of the Austrian Section have been directed towards special actions and to ensuring that all groups are working as effectively as possible. The section in the Federal Republic of Germany, while still the largest section in terms of groups, did not expand as rapidly as in recent years. The section has concen- trated on improving the quality of its groups and membership. It has received greater publicity than in the past.

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The Italian Section has opened an office in Rome, a branch has been formed in Milan and membership has grown rapidly. The Luxembourg Section held probably the year's most successful AI fundraising campaign when in December it raised 2 million Luxembourg francs, at the same time gaining extensive publicity and attract- ing 200 new members. Switzerland has seen a steady growth in membership and groups. High priority has been given to the CAT campaign. Many new members have joined the Netherlands Section and there has been a steady increase in the number of groups. The section has given much time and thought to the question