Hoax bombs examined

Press, 29 March 1980, Page 3

Hoax bombs examined

The Christchurch Police are attempting-to trace the origin of -two suspected letter bombs, blown up after being sent to the Soviet Embassy in Wellington. The letters, which proved to contain no explosive substances, were sent from Christchurch earlv this week. The embassy has received several abusive letters in envelopes post-marked Christchurch, in the last few weeks, from a group calling itself the “Patriotic New Zeaianders’ Organisation." For security reasons, the police will not give details about the hoax “bombs,” which are now being examined by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research-. ’ A Soviet spokesman in Wellington, Mr V. D. Chamortsev blamed the letters on “some mentally-disturbed person,” . the Press Association reported yesterday. He said the embassy had notified the police on receiving the mail. Television New Zealand in Ch.istchurch received an unsigned letter on Monday, claiming that the Patriotic New -Zealanders Organisation, or P.N.Z.0., had been

ejformed “shortly after” the eiSoviet intervention in Af--jghanistan. ry The letter said the group i-lconsisted of 21 “militant ianti-Communists that arei j prepared to go to any; lengths to get rid of comn';munists.” si It said the group had sent! The embassy a letter bomb) d and had also made threats! n.on the lives of many Newj d Zealand Communists. vl “\ve will fight to the end g to protect it (New Zeav! land) and its future from the most dangerous and e'largely undetected form of s'political corruption known ”to mankind; communism,” • the letter continued. f; Similar threatening letters r [signed with the initials “P.N.Z.0.” have been re? ni.ceived by three persons who -Ihad written published letters si to “The Press”. di The published letters were .-lon the subjects of the Socialist Unity Party and d the Soviet Union. Detective Chief Inspector E. Mitten, of Christchurch, n: said investigations into the -'hoax “bombs” had begun ■J here on Tuesday. He could ci not comment on the naturei- of the inquiries or their pronigress so far.