Hope in sight for prisoner

Press, 4 April 1989, Page 6

Hope in sight for prisoner

By

DAVE WILSON

A Christchurch man under house arrest in Somalia, Mr Vince Gason, was last evening cautiously optimistic about behind-the-scenes negotiations to end his ordeal.

Mr Gason is being detained by Somalian authorities after the collapse of an Australian/ Somali fishing venture in which he was a partner. ' New Zealand, British and Australian authorities have been involved in diplomatic efforts to resolve the matter, with Mr Gason being held accountable for the removal of 14 tonnes of seafood from Somali waters.

Speaking from his Mogadishu hotel, where he is detained under armed guard, Mr Gason said the Australian High Commissioner to Nairobi had visited him, and he was heartened by efforts to keep the matter from the courts.

“If I go to court, I’ll go

to jail, that’s the way it is here.”

Mr Gason was placed under house arrest a month ago after he said the Australian partner in the venture, Mr John Woods, ordered two of the venture’s boats back to Australia. The boats left Somali waters without official authority and without Mr Gason’s consent. The Somali authorities subsequently held Mr Gason accountable for numerous charges. Although details were sketchy last evening, it is believed new moves aimed at settling the matter and freeding Mr Gason have been initiated.

They are believed to involve the venture’s Somali partner, Abdi Ali Hussien, and a proposal that would involve Mr Woods remitting a sum of money in full or part settlement of the Somali claim. Mr Gason said even he

was unaware of the exact details. “I have not been told exactly what is going on, but I know moves are under way to try and sort this thing out, rather than have it go to court.” Although he was watched by an armed guard throughout the day, Mr Gason said the staff at his hotel had been taking excellent care of him.

“They’ve been absolutely marvellous to me. people pop in to see me, they bring books for me. “I’m feeling pretty good in myself, although obviously I feel down sometimes. But I am getting used to what’s happening to me.”

Mr Gason’s wife, Ann, and members of his family have kept regular telephone contact with him.

“You don’t know how much it means to me, hearing from my family and friends, and getting calls from newspapers.”