Inquiries into grievances

Press, 20 July 1987, Page 3

Inquiries into grievances

PA Wellington Inquiries were being made in the Soviet Union about the grievances of the Russian fisherman defector, Mr Vitaly Sinilo, said a Soviet Embassy spokesman in Wellington. Inquiries were not yet complete, but the Embassy was unhappy that Mr Sinilo had chosen to come to the news media in New Zealand before receiving its reply.

A “commission” or "warrant” must be sent through the Embassy to the Soviet Union if Mr Sinilo’s wife was to receive any of his salary. The spokesman said Mr Sinilo must know this, and his attitude in this matter showed him to be “a little naive.”

The content of the “Sakhalin Fisherman” article was between Mr Sinilo and the newspaper. Legal redress was available to

The Embassy spokesman said he had no idea where the information for the article had come from.

The spokesman queried Mr Sinilo’s reasons for defection. Mr Sinilo had asserted that he was forced to defect because of his outspokenness on corruption in the Soviet fishing industry. The spokesman said there was now a "great fight” being waged against corruption in the Soviet Union.

“For 20 years he did nothing about it, and now when the fight begins, he defects.”

The spokesman said a more detailed response to Mr Sinilo’s assertions would be made when inquiries in the Soviet Union were complete, probably late next week.