TNAG-0837-FCO40-1045-Capital-punishment-in-the-Dependent-Territories-1981 — Page 107

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G Wyn Jones Esq CBE

MONTSERRAT

AR14 380/2

-9FEB 1979

DECK OFFICI

JOEX

PA

Redon Tak

No 89/21 PX

-

HKG 380/2

9 February 1979

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

1. The Attorney-General in BVI has reported that she heard a news item on Radio Antilles to the effect that the UN Secre- tariat had been given an assurance by the UK Government that there will be no more executions in the UK Dependent Territories.

2.

There has certainly been no change in our policy since the OAG's Conference and UKMIS New York have not given any such assurance to the UN Secretariat. Nor are they aware of any UK or Secretariat statement which could have prompted the Radio Antilles news item.

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3. We are reluctant to make further enquiries at this stage and provoke interest in this delicate subject. I understand Radio Antilles is based in Montserrat and wonder if you heard this report - or whether there is any discreet way of dis- covering just what was said. Jim Davidson, to whom I am copying this letter in part reply to his telegram No 18, may be able to let you have more detail on the timing of the broadcast.

cc:

"

J A Davidson Esq OBE

TORTOLA

(WOAD)

A E Clarke

Hong Kong and General Department

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