RESTRICTED
GR 200 IMMEDIATE
ER CAT A
PYF CO 191819Z
RESTRICTED
Lee 90
१०
$
TO IMMEDIATE SINGAPORE TEL NO 135 OF 19 MAY, INFO PRIORITY HONG KONG (FOR GOVERNOR).
88
AT
PA
HKK 243/1
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
2 2 MAY 1978
(89)
RECIL RY
Action Taken
OFSK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
CLE
YOUR TEL NO 176 AND HONG KONG TEL NO 24 TO SINGAPORE: VIETNAMESE
REFUGEES FROM THE SS TONG SING,
1. WE AGREE THERE WOULD BE NO POINT IN ASKING THE SINGAPORE
GOVERENMENT TO ACCEPT THESE REFUGEES, THEIR SEHAVIOUR TO DATE
OVER QUOTE BOAT UNQUOTE REFUGEES INDICATES THAT THEY WILL REFUSE
TO TAKE THIS PARTICULAR GROUP,
2. IT IS NOT CLEAR, IN THE ABSENCE OF FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE LIFERAFT (IE, WHETHER IT WAS OVERLOADED OR OF INADEQUATE CONSTRUCTION), WHETHER THE ACTION OF THE CAPTAIN OF THE SS TONG SING
WAS IN BREACH OF THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA CONVENTION: THERE IS
NOTHING IN THE CONVENTION TO PREVENT A MASTER FROM ALLOWING PEOPLE TO LEAVE THE SHIP ON A LIFERAFT. HOWEVER, WE DO SEE ADVANTAGE IN YOUR DRAWING TO THE ATTENTION OF THE SINGAPORE GOVERNMENT, AS YOU
SUGGEST, THE REPORTED IRRESPONSIBLE ACTION OF THE CAPTAIN OF THIS
VESSEL. YOU COULD MAKE THE POINT THAT ACTIONS OF THIS KIND COULD
WELL INVITE HOSTILE PRESS REACTION OVERSEAS GIVEN THE CONSIDERABLE
INTEREST IN THE PLIGHT OF REFUGEES ESCAPING FROM VIETNAM BY BOAT.
OVEN
FILES
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UND
SRAD
HKIGD
MYD
NEWS.D.
PS / LORD CERENWY
Ps[he huARD
MR WEIR.
MR HURRAY
MR FIGS. MR STRATION
COPIES TO
HR.e. BIRT.
ROBERTS
HOME OFFICE LUNAR HOUSE CROYDON.
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