TNAG-2655-FCO40-3848-Extradition-cases-from-the-UK-and-France-to-Hong-Kong-Lorrai-1992 — Page 85

November 1992

CONFIDENTIAL

Cleaned with Mr Monais

Ms Dames-Jones

Grateful for any

124

comment

or tomorer

tonight

aftemon.

Marker

The Hon

(MG JP

JF Mathews (QC?).

Attorney General

Attorney General's Chambers Queensway Government Offices

66 Queensway

HONG KONG

MBliss

pa Saminum please b/u

X.

one week

Dist

6.3067

19/11

drsan

DR RAIS bin SANIMAN

I am sorry that my absence in New York prevented me from replying earlier to your letter of 21 October. In the meantime, we have been looking at ways of making an effective approach to the French authorities. While they were here in London for the latest Osman hearing, Graham Grant and Roger Best (Clifford Chance) briefed officials here about developments in this case since the submission of the "Recours Gracieux".

As our embassy in Paris suggested, we approached our Attorney General, who was already planning to visit Paris to raise another extradition case, and asked if he would raise the Saniman case also. Unfortunately, the other extradition case (Akbar, which concerns the collapse of BCCI) is of such delicacy that this was felt to be the wrong moment to raise the Saniman case in addition. Nevertheless, our Attorney is now aware of the Saniman case and will be given additional defensive briefing in Paris in case the French themselves raise it.

We will of course let you know of any discussion which takes place at the Attorney's meeting in Paris and will now consider the best alternative method of engaging the French.

F D Berman

інко 384/1