TV to show torture

Press, 12 August 1985, Page 6

TV to show torture

NZPA-AFP London A British independent television station, TVS, will broadcast a widely advertised documentary on alleged Japanese wartime atrocities.

The station submitted the film to the Foreign Office as a “courtesy gesture.” A Foreign Office official confirmed that staff had seen a copy of the film, called “Unit 731,” which is likely to embarrass the

American and Japanese Governments. The film describes medical experiments done on British prisoners of war by Jaoanese doctors. It says that American officials, with the approval of the Pacific Supreme Commander, General Douglas MacArthur, granted the doctors immunity from prosecution in exchange for the findings obtained from their tests. “Unit 731” identifies the

scientists — many now holding senior positions in Japanese medical and academic institutions — responsible for the experiments at a research centre in Manchuria, China. The prisoners of war included 20 Americans. “We were sent a copy of the film, unsolicited, and it has been sent back,” the Foreign Office official said. “As there is no British involvement, there is nothing in it for us.”