Cable Briefs

Press, 14 August 1980, Page 6

Cable Briefs

Biggs safe The British train robber Ronald Biggs will not be deported if the Brazilian President (Mr Joao Figueiredo) signs a new law regulating the . stay of foreigners in Brazil, a presidential spokesman has said. Under the law sent to Congress the Government can expel any foreigner in an “irregular position” in Brazil, even those married to Brazilians or parents of Brazilian children. The Brazilian authorities have refused to deport Biggs, who took part in the Great Train Robbery 7, because he is the father of a Brazilian child. The spokesman said that no law in Brazil could be applied retroactively and, for this reason, Biggs could not be extradited.—Brasilia.

Troop pact stands Final arrangements for the withdrawal of British, and French troops from Vanuatu had been completed in Paris, it has been reported. The report, in “The Times,” said that the meeting, was between the junior Minister at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr Peter Blaker) and his French counterpart (Mr Olivier Stirn). As previously agreed, the Royal Marines and French paratroopers would leave by August 19. — London. Mosque battle

Twelve people have been injured and nine others arrested in Rotheram, northern England, when violent incidents broke out between two rival Muslim factions in the town’s mosque. The police used dogs to disperse 200 people after a violent quarrel erupted on religious issues. Rotheram has already seen trouble in its Muslim community but nothing as violent as the latest incidents. —London.

Aetc suicide guide A new organisation dedicated to the right of the terminally ill to commit suicide has said it intends to publish a guide to suicide. The announcement came after a British group abandoned plans for a similar publication. Members of the Santa M o n i c a-based Hemlock Society said their book would consist of euthanasia case histories, including methods of death, and would be less overtly clinical than the controversial 30-page guide to suicide announced three months ago by the British group, Exit. —Los Angeles.