R6)
CYPHER/CAT-A-
FM FCO 021740Z
CONFIDENTIAL
RECEIVED IN' REGISTRY No.150
5 MAY 1975.
TO FLASH ROYAL PARTY ON TOUR (FOR SIR MARTIN CHARTERIS) U/N TEL OF 2/5.
FOLLOWING TELEGRAM NOW REPEATED TO YOU AT REQUEST OF DEPT WAS RECEIVED FROM HONG KONG TELNO. 426 OF 2/5.
TO FLASH FCO TELNO 426 OF 2/5 INFO IMMEDIATE WASHINGTO PRIORITY WASHINGTON PRIOTITY COPENHAGEN AND OTTAWA ROUTINE MANILA.
FROM POLITICAL ADVISER. VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.
MAERSK SHIPPING LINE HAS JUST INFORMED US THAT THE CLARA MAERSK, C TYPE 14,000 TON CARGO LINER PICKED UP 3,000 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES THIS AFTERNOON 100 MILES SOUTH OF SAIGON FROM SINKING SHIP, THE ''TRUONG XUAN (CALL SIGN XVLX). ACCORDING TO LOCAL AGENST, CLARA MAERSK IS DUE TO DOCK HONG KONG AFTERNOON SUNDAY 4 MAY AND IS THERE-
AFTER BOUND FOR UNITED STATES.
2. AGENTS HAVE NO INFORMATION ON CONDITION OF REFUGEES AND VESSEL IS
AT PRESENT TOO FAR FROM HONG KONG FOR US TO ARRANGE ANY NECESSARY
MEDICAL OR OTHER EMERGENCY RELIEF. WASHINGTON MAY CARE TO ALERT
APPROPRIATE U.S. AUTHORITIES, INCLUDING INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE, (A) IN CASE US NAVAL VESSELS IN THE SAIGON AREA CAN OFFER ASSISTANCE, AND
(B) IN HOPE THAT US WILL ACCEPT PART OR WHOLE RESPONISBILITY FOR
ULTIMATE SETTLEMENT OF REFUGEES.
3. WE ARE CONSCIOUS THAT DOCKING OF CLARA MAERSK WILL CO-INCIDE WITH START OF ROYAL VISIT, BUT DIVERSION OF SHIP TO ANOTHER DESTINATION
MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE AT THIS STAGE. IT MAY THEREFORE BE NECESSARY FOR US TO LAND, AND TO PROVIDE TRANSIT ACCOMMODATION FOR THE REFUGEES WHILE WE TRY TO ARRANGE FOR THEM TO BE SENT TO SOME COUNTRY WHICH IS WILLING TO GIVE THEM PERMANENT HOMES. IF WE ARE OBLIGED TO ACCOMMODAE THIS GROUP, WE MAY BE PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO TAKE MORE THEREAFTER. HOWEVER, GRATEFUL FOR URGENT VIEWS ON FEASIBILITY OF TRYING TO DIVERT VESSEL TO SOME OTHER (POSSIBLY U.S. CONTROLLED) PORT.
4. IT OCCURS TO US THAT CANADIANS MAY BE INTERESTED IN HELPING US DEAL WITH THIS GROUP, IF WE LAND THEM. IF YOU AGREE, GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD INSTRUCT OUR HIGH COMMISSION ACCORDINGLY. WE SHALL ALERT CANADIAN COMMISSIONER HERE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TOMORROW. HE HAS SHOWN HIMSELF SYMPATHETIC ALREADY IN THE CASE OF OUR EXISTING 67.
5. PURPOSE OF THIS TELEGRAM IS TO GET FACTS OF SITUATION TO YOU QUICKLY. WE SHALL TELEGRAPH FURTHER WITH CONSIDERED COMMENT AFTER CONSULTING GOVERNOR.
CALLAGHAN
BT
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