TNAG-2654-FCO40-3847-Extradition-cases-from-the-UK-and-France-to-Hong-Kong-Lorrai-1992 — Page 25

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RAIS BIN SANIMAN

SUMMARY

1.

THE HONG KONG ATTORNEY GENERAL ASKS FOR ADVICE

AND ASSISTANCE IN PURSUING THE EXTRADITION OF SANIMAN FROM FRANCE AND REQUESTS CONSIDERATION OF RAISING THE MATTER AT MINISTERIAL LEVEL. WE WOULD WELCOME YOUR VIEWS.

DETAIL

2.

MATHEWS, HONG KONG ATTORNEY GENERAL, WROTE ON 21 OCTOBER TO BERMAN (LEGAL ADVISER) SUMMARISING EFFORTS TO DATE TO OBTAIN SANIMAN'S EXTRADITION FROM FRANCE TO HONG KONG AND REQUESTING CONTINUED FCO ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE (COPY TO YOU BY FAX). PARTICULAR MATHEWS ASKED FOR OUR VIEWS ON WHO MIGHT BE THE MOST APPROPRIATE PERSON WITHIN HMG TO APPLY APPROPRIATE PRESSURE'. CHE NOTES ADVICE FROM THE FRENCH LAWYERS RETAINED BY HKG, WHICH WILL BE FAMILIAR TO YOU, THAT THE EXERTION OF POLITICAL PRESSURE SHOULD RUN IN TANDEM WITH LEGAL PROCEDURES).

WE WOULD NOT BACK AWAY FROM RECOMMENDING A HIGH LEVEL DEMARCHE WHEN THE TIME IS RIPE. THERE ARE VARIOUS AVENUES TO CONSIDER - MATHEW'S SUGGESTION WAS THAT THE HOME SECRETARY, GIVEN HIS ROLE IN EXTRADITION MATTERS, MIGHT APPROACH THE FRENCH TO REINFORCE BRITISH AND HKG CONCERN. THE (BRITISH) ATTORNEY GENERAL MIGHT BE ANOTHER CANDIDATE. BUT JUDGING FROM YOUR RECENT REPORTING ON THIS CASE (MACGREGOR'S MINUTE OF 22 OCTOBER) NOW THAT WE HAVE DECIDED ON OUR APPROACH TO THE CONSEIL D'ETAT IT MAY BE TOO LATE FOR INTERVENTION BY MINISTERS, AT ANY RATE THIS SIDE OF THE FRENCH LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS.

4 GRATEFUL FOR YOUR VIEW ON TIMING AND FUTURE TACTICS.

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