GR 189
IMMEDIATE
CYPHER CAT A
F TOKYO 190754Z OCT
RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED
TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELNO 691 OF 19-10-78
AXU TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
INFO ROUTINE UKMIS GENEVA PANAMA
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES:
1.
MARITIME WINNER:
HKK 243
228
REIVED IN REGISTRY KO. 51 2 0 OCT 1978
DESK OFFIC
INDEX
NO
RE$HY.
Action Ton,
CLE
WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE TOKYO OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL MARITIME CARRIERS (IMC) OF HONG KONG THAT THE PANAMA REGISTERED SHIP QUOTE MRITIME WINNER UNQUOTE OWNED BY IMC HAS PICKED UP THIRTY- SIX VIETNAMESE REFUGEES. THE SHIP'S NEXT PORT OF CALL IS KOBE WHERE IT WILL ARRIVE ON 23 OCTOBER. WE UNDERSTAND THAT DODWELLS,' THE AGENTS FOR THE SHIP'S INSURERS, MAY ALREADY HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH YOU. UNHCR HAVE BEEN INFORMED.
2. ACCORDING TO THE LIST GIVEN TO US BY IMC; THE REFUGEES CONSIST OF SIX FAMILIES, FIVE OF WHICH HAVE RELATIVES IN EITHER THE UNITED STATES, FRANCE OR AUSTRALIA.
3.
ALTHOUGH WE HAVE NOT YET SPOUVEN TO THE MFA, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE JAPANESE ARE AGAIN ASKING FOR A THIRD COUNTRY GUARANTEE. IN VIEW OF THEIR RESPONSE OVER THE FORT KIPP CASE LAST WEEK, WE DO NOT SEE ANY POSSIBILITY THAT THIS CONDITION WILL BE WAIVED, AND THE PANAMA REGISTRATION MAY WELL RESULT IN THEIR SUGGESTING THAT HONG KONG BE THE GUARANTOR. WE ASSUME THAT THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE. GRATEFUL FOR GUIDANCE ON THE UK POSITION.
WILFORD
FILES
UND
FED
SEAD
HK & GD
NEWS D PUSD OID
PS
PS/MR LUARD
FS/LORD GORONWY ROBERTS
MR CORTAZZI
MR WEIR
MR HALL
RESTRICTED