Political Prisoners Back From Island

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30284, 9 November 1963, Page 11

Political Prisoners Back From Island

(X.Z.P.A -Reuter—Copyright)

SAIGON, November 8. Thousands of cheering people lined the Saigon waterfront to give a rousing welcome today to 33 political prisoners of the ousted Ngo Dinh Diem regime who arrived in Saigon after being released from the dreaded island prison of Poulo Candore.

They were arrested for their part in the attempted coup d'etat by parachutists in November, 1960. The former prisoners appeared to be in good health Their leader, Dr. Phang Quang Dan, a Right-wing Nationalist and leader of the Vietnamese Democratic Party talked happily with reporters. He said he believed six months should be allowed before free elections be held in South Vietnam. This would give time tor the reorganisation of political parties which were suppressed under tlie Diem regime, and for drawing up electoral laws. Dr. Dan is one of Vietnam’s most highly-regarded political figures. He said the country must guard against two things in the immediate future—dictatorship and disorder. He said there were about 4000 prisoners on Poulo Candore. about 50 miles off the Vietnamese coast. He was sent there last September after his trial, and he worked in the prison hospital One of the men considered responsible for the imprisonment of many of the inmate? of the island has been arrested. Some reports indicate he will be sent to Poulo Candore himself. He was identified as Dr Tran Kin Tuyen. He returned from Hong Kong after the coup on Friday, and was immediately arrested. His

family was assured he would be released, but he is still held. Dr. Tuyen was a close adviser of Ngo Dinh Nhu, the brother of Diem, but he fell into disgrace about a year ago. He recently left die country. Malaysians To Arm (N Copyright) RAUB (Pahang State, Malaya), Nov. 8. The Malaysian DeputyPrime Minister. Tun Abdul Razak, has announced plans to have a territorial army platoon in every village with more than 3000 people. This was to face the “national crisis” caused by Indonesian’s confrontation policy, he said. In Kuala Lumpur the Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, said the ment would take stern action against political parties or individuals who “persisted in siding with Indonesia and the Communist Party” to agitate against Malaysia. The Tunku accused the opposition left-wing Socialist Front Party of maintaining links with Indonesia and the Indonesia Communist Party.