OTTAWA, ON, May 6, 1986 - Cliff Chadderton, Chief Executive Officer of The War Amps, stated today that no contact had been received from the Japanese Government regarding the claim for reparation payments submitted to the Japanese Ambassador last December on behalf of former members of the Hong Kong Force who were subjected to forced labour and maltreatment while prisoners of war in Japan.

Chadderton stated that he had been authorized to forward a telegram to His Excellency Kiyoaki Kikuchi, Ambassador of Japan, on Monday, May 5. The telegram stated:

We refer to our letter of December 17, 1985, setting forth the further claim for reparation pay for members of Canadian Military who were engaged in forced labour and suffered maltreatment while prisoners of war of Japanese Government during World War II.

Regret no reply from you or Japanese Government to date. 

Be advised undersigned has now been instructed to inform Canadian public by every means at disposal regarding validity of claims of Canadian prisoners of war with further advice regarding failure of your Government to negotiate the matter or even make arrangements for discussion. 

Be advised further that in event no contact or satisfactory comment is forthcoming from Japanese Government by June 15 we shall proceed to file claim on behalf of the members of the Hong Kong Force and other Canadians imprisoned by Japan or their widows with the appropriate UN Agency. 

The War Amps, acting on behalf of the Hong Kong veterans, has been conducting legal research in regard to the claim for payment for a number of years, leading to the conclusion that a claim can be made through the United Nations under the Human Rights code.