Letter: Maltese incident

Sir: We should like to clarify a number of points raised in Pandora (Review, 13 August) about the Esmerelda incident.

Maltese authorities did not "seize" the Esmerelda. The authorities sought and obtained the co-operation of the Chilean government in keeping the ship in port while the police conducted their investigations.

While the crime was committed on shore, the suspects had already made their way onto the ship by the time they were identified. Since a military ship is considered part of the territory where it is registered, it was necessary for the Maltese government to formally request that the suspects be handed over to the Maltese police.

This the government did; in reply immunity was claimed and Malta formally protested the failure to hand over the two suspects. An assurance was later given by the Chilean authorities that should there be sufficient evidence for indictment, the suspects would be sent to Malta to be tried by the local courts.

Dr GEORGE BONELLO Du PUIS

Malta High Commissioner

London W1