GR 500
IMMEDIATE
CYPHER CAT A
f-
BANGKOK AC455Z MAY 73
RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED
HKK 243 RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
3/1 (661
4 MÁY 1978
DESK OFFICER INDEX
SRY
PA
Action
TO
IMEDIATE FCO TEL NO 137 OF 4/5/73
AND TO IMEDIATE UXMIS GENEVA
DESKBY 0439072
AND TO IMMEDITS GOVERNOR HONG KONG DESKBY C439702
(65)
MY TEL NO 196: VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ABOARD MY SIBONGA''
7229
Hong Ko fave now,
as
Commental Predict ably, they argue that Bangkok, Art of first call, should take the refugees.
RK But they and agree to tuke Then of all Alse fails
1. UNHCR HAVE CLARIFIED QUESTION OF THAT GOVERNVENT'
REQUIREMENT FOR GUARANTEE FROM HVG: THAI AUTHORITIES
KNOWN TO BE TOTALLY UNINTERESTED IN LANDING ANY REFUGEES
AND ONLY IF UNHCR EXCEPTIONALLY ANXIOUS FOR REFUGEES
TO DISEMBARK(BECAUSE FOR EXAMPLE SHIP WAS SAILING UNDER
FLAG OF CONVENIENCE OF COUNTRY WHERE SETTLEMENT OF
REFUGEES IMPOSSIBLE OR REFUGEES CLEARLY UNABLE TO DISEMBARK AT NEXT PORT OF CALL OR IN BAD STATE OF HEALTH). IN THIS
PRESENT CASE UNHCR WOULD NOT PRESS FOR DISEMBARKATION IN
THAILAND UNLESS AUSTRALIANS OR OTHER COUNTRIES AGREE TO ACCEPT REFUGEES FOR SETTLEMÉNT
•
2.CONSUL MET CAPTAIN OF SHIP MR A N WATSON ON BOARD,
SHORTLY AFTER VESSEL DOCKED
pending onward
passage to UK. I have cleaved
a telegram by SEAT to bang koh Indorsing this line.
5415
ALSO BANK LINE AGENTS' MANAGING DIRECTOR, AND REFUGEES
THEMSELVES. CAPTAIN HAS NO OBJECTION TO TAKING REFUGEES
TO HONG KONG, OWNERS. AGENTS CONCUR WITH THIS, AND REFUGEES ANXIOUS TO DISEMBARK IN HONG KONG RATHER
THAN THAILAND, REFUGEES ARE CONVINCED THAI AUTHORITH
WOULD REPATRIATE THEM TO VIETNAM AND DIFFICULT TO
PERSUADE THER OTHERWISE."
3.CAPTAIN HAS PROVIDED, ACCOMODATION ON BOARD IN FORTY FOOT CONTAINER (THERE ARE THIRTY-EIGHT NOT THIRTY REFUGEES) WHICH IS CONSIDERABLY MORE ROOMY THAX REFUGEES SMALL FISHING BOAT, AND NEITHER FOOD MOR TOILET FACILITIES CONSTITUTE PROBLEMS. ONE TWO YEAR OLD CHILD IS SICK WITH AFTERMATH OF MEASLES AMD 10 IM SHIP'S SICKBAY OTHERWISE REFUGEES HEALTH IS 2000,
RESTRICTED
/4. CAPTA IN
2