N.Z. Unable to help Vietnam prisoners

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32425, 12 October 1970, Page 5

N.Z. Unable to help Vietnam prisoners

fN’ew Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 11. The possibility of New Zealand’s interceding with the South Vietnamese Government on behalf of political prisoners did not really arise, the Prime Minister (Sir Keith Holyoake) said on Friday.

He was replyiig to a writ- j ten Parliamentary question from Dr A. M. Finlay (Lab., i Henderson), who asked if the I Prime Minister had received : from Amnesty International I a copy of a letter from 21 i South Vietnamese parents who had been unable to con- j tact their imprisoned child- ; ren. He asked the Prime i Minister to do his best to , see that the letter reached . quarters where it would be , acted on. Amnesty International is an], organisation which tries to i gain the release of political

prisoners around the world. Sir Keith Holyoake said it appeared that the organisation had not approached the South Vietnamese authorities—the first step in pursuing its aims. “In considering a proposal that it undertake a direct approach, the New Zealand Government would in any case have to pay full regard to the factors which traditionally inhibit interference in the internal affairs of another country,” Sir Keith Holyoake said.