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Daily Update

July 17, 1998

MICHEL STILL PRISONER IN VIETNAM!

Michel calls from Ho Chi Minh City to say that he is being protected from the Vietnamese by his Spanish embassy. He wants all to know that he is safe as long as he stays there.

After meeting in Hanoi about Michel's flight status, the Vietnamese have again denied him take-off permission.

He is now justifiably worried that his China and Russian overflight permits will expire if and when they finally let him go. If they do expire, the months of work and expense that went into obtaining those permissions will be for nothing, and new permits will have to be obtained.

Michel may be safe at his embassy, but what about his Kitfox? Many supporters have told us that the Vietnamese will strip his plane if he leaves it, even for a few days. I have warned Michel about this, and hopefully his embassy or other friends in Vietnam will protect the Kitfox in some way.

Michel said he is writing a full report and will try to send it today or tomorrow. So stay tuned here. We will report all news as soon as we get it.

There are many news items we would like to report and editorialize here. However the Vietnamese can read these pages as easily as you can, so we must guard what we say. Additionally we would ask that any communications or postings to the web be kept on the positive side.

Thank you for all the suggestions and offers of help for Michel. This is truly an international incident in the minds of pilots and home-builders around the world. Please be advised that Michel has many supporters working to get him released.