European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - February 15, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 8 the stars and stripes wednesday february 15, 1989 sex belgian Leader freed by kidnappers  d. A r \  _ Brussels Belgium a kidnappers released former prime minister Paul Vanden Boey Nants and he returned Home Safe and sound tuesday after a month in Captivity the Justice ministry said. The 69-year-old Christian Democrat was freed late monday near the railway station in Tournai and took a cab to his Brussels Home 50 Miles away said Brussels Deputy prosecutor Andre Vandoren who headed the investigation. Investigators said they questioned Vanden Boey Nants whose career has been tainted by scandal and were satisfied that he had in fact been kidnapped an Issue that had raised questions since he disappeared on Jan. 14. Or. Vanden Boey Nants will make a Public statement in the coming Days but give him the time Forest Vandoren said. The Justice ministry said in a statement that or Vanden Boey Nants has returned Safe and sound there was no immediate explanation of where Rounder what conditions he had spent the month. It was not known if Vanden Boey Nants family paid a Ransom for the wealthy businessman. A previously unknown group calling itself the socialist revolution Ary brigade had claimed to have kidnapped him and demanded a Ransom. He was apparently in Good health. On tuesday morning Vanden Boey Nants wearing sunglasses appeared briefly at the window of his seventh floor apartment to wave at photographers and re porters outside. Vanden Boey Nants Dis appeared after he parked his car in his apartment building s garage where Vanden Boey Nants police found his pipe hearing Aid and one of his shoes. Three Days after he disappeared a special parliamentary commission was to have opened a hearing into accusations that he took bribes while defense min ister in the 1970s. The socialist revolutionary brigade claimed responsibility for the kidnapping in Anonymous phone Calls and letters to Brussels newspapers in the Days immediately following Vanden Boey Nants disappearance. Head of states Aars it demanded a $790,000 Ransom two thirds of which was to be distributed among the needy by sever Al Relief groups. But after the initial statements the alleged kidnappers were not heard from. Vanden Boey Nants was a major player in postwar belgian politics until a conviction for business tax fraud ended his political career in 1986. After the disappearance prime minister Wilfried mar tens said Vanden Boey Nants had received threats in the preceding weeks. He did not disclose their nature Vanden Boey Nants also had requested a meeting with the Interior minister presumably to discuss his safety. Vanden Boey Nants was prime minister from 1966 to 1968 and briefly in 1978. He was a skilled backstage negotiator during 40 years in politics and had a hand in most major government decisions. He also made a Fortune in the meatpacking Industry and got into trouble Over taxes. The judge who gave him a three year suspended sentence in 1986 called the former prime minister an inveterate swindler for whom tax evasion is second  the special parliamentary commission that was to probe accusations of bribery postponed its hearing Las month and later dropped the investigation. It said there were no grounds for prosecution. World today Farmers throw firebombs in South korean protest Seoul South Korea a thousands of Mili Tant Farmers burned cars and hurled firebombs at riot police monday to protest what they called the govern ment s disastrous agricultural policy. Police fired tear Gas to end the two hour protest by an estimated 15,000 Farmers from throughout the country who gathered in front of the National Assem Bly special 20-Day session opened there monday the South korean news Agency Yon Hap said at least 15 Farmers and seven not police officers were injured six cars were set ablaze and two others were smashed with Sticks  said they arrested 25 protesters. . Medical group making mercy Mission to Vietnam Bangkok Thailand a a group of american doctors will travel to Vietnam to perform about 100 opera  financed by . Veterans of the War the official Vietnam news Agency said  40 plastic surgeons nurses and other medical personnel will Fly to Vietnam from Bangkok this week said Koks g a up Kesman for the . Embassy in bang he said the group from operation smile was one of various charitable groups responding to the . Government s recommendation that Vietnam be give private humanitarian Aid. Operation smile is a non governmental non prof it organization based in Norfolk va., Petzing said. West Germany bus crash injures 22 French tourists Rosenheim West Germany a a tourist or to -4 a West German Highway sunday an crashed into a wooded area seriously injuring 18 French to ousts police said  in the bavarian town of Rosenheim said 22 people were taken to local hospitals after the  i r i i Ai nose uni Aner to crash. Exec told Balian refugee boat was seaworthy sect in se�sse�nwela2tas sky  awas nol or Oderle informed f naval base Phil a a Navy officer testified monday at the court martial of his for Mer Captain that he told the Captain he believed a boat carrying vietnamese refugees was seaworthy even though it had no working engine and an inadequate sail. U. Cmdr. Stanley Halter executive officer of the amphibious transport Dubuque testified on the second Day of the court martial of capt. Alexander Balian who is charged with failing to adequately assist the refugees when his vessel encountered them last june 9 in the South China sea 230 Miles North of the philippine Island of Palawan. United nations officials say 31 of the 83 vietnamese aboard the boat when it encountered the Dubuque died after the meeting. Three were murdered and eaten by fellow passengers who were later res cued by filipino fishermen june 27 after37 Days at sea survivors say. Under Cross examination Halter said Navy regulations allow captains to pick up refugees if they Are in imminent Dan Ger of death or if their vessel is sinking or in danger of sinking. He said his inspection of the vessel indicated those conditions did not  in direct testimony Halter said the vietnamese appeared weak and emaciated but their voices were  Petty officer Hiep Duy Phan a Viet Nam born member of the Dubuque Crew who acted As an interpreter testified that the vietnamese told him they had been without food and water for seven Days and that he passed that information to Halter. Phan also said the vietnamese told him the ship was leaking but Halter testified he could see no evidence that that was True. Phan said he showed the vietnamese their position on a map and told them if they sailed toward the Sunrise they would reach the Philippines. He said he assured the vietnamese they would be picked up by another ship because Hehe cd Halter say that the Dubuque had radioed the boat s position. Phan said he was angry that Balian in opening statements monday the prosecutor u. Cmdr. Raymond Carl son said Balian spent Only two hours investigating the refugee Craft before sail ing on to the persian Gulf. The defense counsel it. Cmdr. Ron Ald Petroro said Balian 48, of los an Geles s not properly informed of the refugees condition because of language problems and confusion aboard their vessel. Balian has been charged with failing to Rescue an unknown vietnamese who swam toward the Dubuque at risk to his Lite failing to Rescue a second Vietnam Ese who tried to climb the warship s ropes but was shaken off and failing to Render assistance to refugees in life endangering  a six member Board of Navy captains was convened Friday to try Balian who could face 4 to years imprisonment forfeiture of pay and allowances and a dishonourable Dis charge if convicted on All counts. Balian who was awarded the Silver mar and purple heart for service in Viet Nam was relieved of command of the Dubuque on aug. 13