Drawn to jail rendezvous

Press, 24 May 1986, Page 8

Drawn to jail rendezvous

ASHLEY CAMPBELL

The call came at 11.45 a.m.: there was a new development in the Rainbow" Warrior Affair. The voice on the other end of the phone was secretive, identifying itself as belonging to a Mr Kevin Patterson, a name not on our files. We should be outside the women’s prison at 1.45 p.m. that day to find out about the new development; no other information was volunteered.

But our chief reporter was merciless. After a long interrogation he managed to ascertain that this was a book-launching — another insight Into the famous incident. What was more, the book was a New Zealand and French publication. Would the reporter need to speak French, our chief asked. No, was the reply. Just as well. I was called in early, and briefed. But there was not much time left. At 1.15 p.m. I left with a

photographer. As we sped out to the prison, several questions raced through my mind.

What new revelations were in this book? What had the authors found out that had eluded our police force and Government? Would this mean the two French agents would be released? We arrived with two minutes to spare. There was no sign of the French Ambassador, or Dominique Prieur. We identified Mr Patterson, and asked him what this was all about. The answer took us by surprise. French cartoons and New Zealand cartoons. Mr Patterson had put together a book called “The Rainbow Warrior Collection” — cartoons from French and New Zealand newspapers. He had decided to launch the book outside the prison for obvious reasons, and had succeeded in luring out reporters from most of the Christchurch news media

to find out'what was going on. Mr Patterson said he was hoping to present a copy of the book to Prieur today. Alain Mafart would also get one, he said. We were given a copy.

We had found out what we came for — and there was no loss of life. Mission accomplished, we returned to base, book in hand. Now where do I sign up for the 5.1.5.?