Last New Zealander leaves South Yemen

Press, 25 January 1986, Page 3

Last New Zealander leaves South Yemen

PA • Wellington Mr Robert Perry, thought to be the last New Zealander to leave South Yemen, was taken out via the port of Mukalla on Thursday. Mr Chris Gedye, general manager for McConnell Dowell personnel division, said yesterday that Mr Perry, a senior drilling supervisor, of Hamilton, was taken aboard the British merchant ship Diamond Princess and transferred outside the 18km limit to H.M.S. Newcastle. With him were seven Pakistani and Indian

nationals who had worked for him in South Yemen. Mr < Fred Loadwick, a McConnell Dowell executive, will meet them. Mr Gedye said the company’s North Yemen contracts were continuing. “There is no indication that the fighting in South Yemen would spread to its northerh neighbour. In fact fighting in South Yemen was largely restricted to Aden and the surrounding district,” Mr

Gedye said. "Should there be any indication that the fighting could spread to North Yemen we would move

rapidly to evacuate our personnel.” Mr Gedye said the North " Yemen contract was managed by Mr Graeme Cummings who is accompanied by his wife, Selina. Mr Jim Ashby, also from New Zealand, was the drilling superintendent and the company was regularly in touch with them. ? Mr Gedye could not confirm when Mr Perry would be back in New

Zealand. He said it could be at least five days before Mr Perry would enter Dubai from where he would be flown home.