Gason escape not in Somali news
By
PAM MORTON
Mr Vince Gason’s escape from Somalia has not rated a mention in Somali newspapers, according to the British consul in Somalia, Mr Roger Huxley. The British Embassy was unaware of Mr Gason’s departure until a New Zealand radio station telephoned on Thursday to ask about the escape.
Mr Gason arrived back in Christchurch on Saturday after being detained in Mogadishu for 10 months. A joint Somali-Austra-lian fishing venture that he was managing collapsed and he was held responsible for its debts. During his detention, Mr Gason was under 24-hour surveillance in a Mogadishu hotel. Mr Huxley told “The PreSs” yesterday that the British viceconsul had seen Mr Gason the day before he left Somalia.
“I don’t think he was aware of his plans. News of his escape came as a surprise.” Mr Huxley said as far as he was aware there had been
nothing about the escape in Somali newspapers. Somalian .authorities had also shown little interest in Mr Gason’s departure. Mr Huxley was unable to shed any light on claims that an unidentified Briton aided the escape of Mr Gason from Mogadishu. It has been claimed that Mr Gason elicited the help of a British business person to obtain an air ticket out of Somalia. “I know nothing about that. Mr Gason would know more about it than me.”
The British vice-consulate had been responsible for Mr Gason’s welfare during his stay in the capital. “I am delighted that he has been able to get back. That is a personal viewpoint because the man has been here since April.” Mr Gason’s departure also meant that he was no longer a consulate responsibility. “It is one less job for me to worry about,” Mr Huxley said.
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Press, 19 December 1989, Page 1
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295Gason escape not in Somali news Press, 19 December 1989, Page 1
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