DANISH BOATS SEIZED

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 26986, 11 March 1953, Page 9

DANISH BOATS SEIZED

Polish Reprisal

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, Mar. 10. The Polish authorities last night seized seven Danish fishing boats with 30 Danes aboard in the Hela Bay area near Danzig, it was reported from the Danish Baltic island of Bornholm today. It is believed in Copenhagen that the seizure is connected with the Polish demand for the return of the jet-fighter which was landed at Bornholm last week by a Polish pilot seeking political asylum. Denmark so far has not complied with the demand.

Two of the fishing boats sent out messages as they were being seized, one radio operator reporting: “Don’t expect to see us for some time.” They were taken to Hela Bay, which is a Polish harbour.

Poland yesterday sent another Note to Denmark demanding the return of the jet Russian-built MIG, protesting that Denmark allowed a British air attache, Wing Commander Jeffs, to examine and photograph the plane. Poland also complained at the dismantling of the plane, which was carried out in order to ship it to Vaerloese airport, near Copenhagen. Danish experts at Vaerloese are examining the plane, and others are interrogating the pilot, Franciszek Garecki.

In Denmark it is generally assumed that the MIG will eventually be returned to Poland, but without any undue hurry. The pilot, it is thought, will probably be allowed to stay if he wants to.