TNAG-2955-FCO40-4232-Extradition-cases-from-the-UK-and-France-to-Hong-Kong-Lorrai-1993 — Page 126

RESTRICTED

FM PARIS

TO DESKBY 18150OZ FCOL

TELNO 477

OF 18132OZ MAY 93

INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG

RESTRICTED

HKD 384/1

18 MA 1993

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$15.

TOP COPY

49

065363

MDHIAN 1324

HONG KONG TELNO 733: EXTRADITION OF SANIMAN TO HONG KONG

SUMMARY

1.

SENIOR JUSTICE MINISTRY OFFICIAL HAS POSITIONED HIMSELF TO BLOCK PROGRESS. LITTLE POINT IN OFFICIALS MEETING UNDER THE CONDITIONS PROPOSED. AN EARLY VISIT BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFERS ONLY CHANCE OF BREAKING THE LOGJAM BEFORE CONSEIL D'ETAT START HEARING.

DETAIL

2. WE HAVE BEEN PURSUING WITH THE FRENCH MINISTRY OF JUSTICE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE EXPERTS' MEETING ON THE EXTRADITION OF SANIMAN, NOW FIXED FOR 1000 ON 28 MAY.

3. IT HAS BECOME APPARENT THAT MEHAIGNERIE'S CABINET ARE NOT FULLY INVOLVED. THE HANDLING OF THE MEETING HAS BEEN TAKEN OVER BY THE DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS IN THE MINISTRY, POTOCKI, WHO DRAFTED THE ORIGINAL ADVICE AGAINST SANIMAN'S EXTRADITION AND WHO DEFENDED THAT POSITION IN THE OBSERVATIONS OF THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE LAST MONTH.

4.

POTOCKI HAS TOLD US THAT HE COULD SEE NOTHING FOR EXPERTS TO DISCUSS. THE FRENCH TEAM WOULD BE READY TO HEAR OUR VIEWS. BUT POTOCKI DID NOT ENVISAGE ANY DEBATE. HE SAID THAT THE MEETING NEED NOT LAST MORE THAN 30-45 MINUTES.

COMMENT

5.

POTOCKI HAS USED HIS STANDING IN THE JUSTICE MINISTRY AND HIS LEADING ROLE ON THIS CASE EFFECTIVELY TO BLOCK OUR WAY. THERE IS LITTLE PURPOSE ON GOING FORWARD WITH THE OFFICIALS MEETING ON THE BASIS DESCRIBED. THE ONLY CHANCE OF GETTING THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE TO RECONSIDER ITS POSITION IS TO CONVINCE THE MINISTER PERSONALLY THAT THE SANIMAN CASE HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY HANDLED.