Embassy to be closed

Press, Issue 33836, 7 May 1975, Page 3

Embassy to be closed

(NZ. Press Assocuiliott WELLINGTON, May 6. The South Vietnamese Embassy in Wellington will close on Thursday. Although no official statement was forthcoming from the Ambassador (Mr Nguyen Hoan), it is known that the Vietnamese lease on its offices expires on Friday, and that official business will cease the previous night. The D.I.C. group buying manager (Mr C. R. Palmer) said the embassy occupied offices in his company’s building on a monthly basis, but because of the abnormal circumstances less than one week's notice of leaving had been accepted from the Vietnamese. The question of what will happen to Mr Hoan and the 22 other Vietnamese nationals granted political asylum in New Zealand has not been answered. It has been reported that Mr Hoan and his family might go to live in America, but staff at the embassy could not confirm this today. When a reporter called at the embassy this morning Mr Hoan was out, and the Second Secretary (Mr Hguyen Xuan Dinh) refused to discuss the situation. He asked the receptionist, a New Zealand girl, to say that he had previ-

ously answered all questions. Staff were busy clearing desks, files, and drawers. Papers were piled up. An inquiry at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs showed that Mr Hoan had talks this morning with the Chief of Protocol (Mr G. Thorpe), but Mr Thorpe was not available to make a statement, ft was thought the discussion would have included the future of the embassy staff, all of whom may stay in New Zealand if they want to. Apparently, they will enjoy only the rights of any other immigrant, therebylosing their diplomatic privileges, and all will have to find jobs. Another question which remains unanswered is what happens to the Ambassador’s home in Lower Hutt? As the home is officially owned by the Saigon Government — no matter which regime is in charge — it seems certain that at some stage it will be claimed by the Provisional Revolutionary Government. If and when New Zealand decides to act on the P.R.G.’s demand for all Vietnamese assets to be frozen tihe house would be one of the first to be seized. The question of payment of wages to embassy staff is also open to conjecture.