‘Good Treatment In Hanoi ’

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32060, 7 August 1969, Page 13

‘Good Treatment In Hanoi ’

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) SAIGON, Aug. 6. Three released American prisoners said that they received good treatment during their captivity in Hanoi although they had to adjust to a diet of bread, squash soup and pig fat.

The United States mission in Saigon today made available the text of a press conference the three men had given yesterday in Vientiane where they had been flown after their release. Lieutenant Robert Frishman of the United States Air Force, the group’s spokesman, was asked by reporters at the airport if relatives of other United States captives in Hanoi needed to worry “so much” about the treatment of prisoners.

“I don’t want them to worry at all,” he replied. “My treatment, the treatment of all three of us has been good.” Lieutenant Frishman had.

earlier described his treatment as “adequate”. Pressed to go into greater detail, he said: “We don’t want to say anything that is going to jeopardise any other pilots who have the chance of being released.”

In Washington, the United States State Department said that it hoped its decision to let the three war prisoners released by North Vietnam return home without heavy military control would encourage Hanoi to release other prisoners. Commercial Flight

The prisoners are being allowed to return by commercial airlines and were permitted to talk with reporters. Hanoi previously expressed displeasure when men it released were taken home on military aircraft. Lieutenant Frishman told reporters that he was injured when his aircraft was shot down by a surface-to-air missile. “I was taken to hospital and the doctors were very busy giving medical treatment to their own people,” he said.

“It would have been easier for them to amputate my arm but they did operate. They removed my elbow and I still have my right arm.” He said that their diet in prison was “based around bread” with squash soup and pig fat during the summer. “Actually this may not sound like it’s very good, but they have their way of preparing it and I think it is good tasting,” he said according to the text. Asked if any attempts were made to brainwash or indoctrinate the prisoners, Lieutenant Frishman replied: “I have no comment.”

Captain Wesley Rumble, also of the United States Air Force, said when asked if they had been allowed outside for exercise: “We were allowed to sweep the ground.” He said that they spent an average day eating two meals, smoking cigarettes, and listening to the voice of Vietnam Radio. Seaman Douglas Hegdahl, asked to shed some light on his capture said, “I was from a ship that was off the coast

of North Vietnam and during the night I fell into the sea. “Under the circumstances I must have blacked out, 1 don’t know what happened. After swimming for four or five hours I was picked up by a North Vietnamese fishing boat.” Wound As Reason

Lieutenant Frishman said that he believed that he was selected for release because he was wounded. He learned officially of his impending freedom on Monday. Asked what his main wish was now, he replied: “Of course, to see my wife.” The three men, who arrived in Vientiane on the twiceweekly International Control Commission plane from Hanoi, were accompanied by Rennie Davis, leader of a United States anti-war group that helped arrange the release. The men, who were said to be tired, spent last night at the home the United States Ambassador to Vientiane (Mr George Godley). There was no immediate information available on where they would* be flying to. i