GRPS 130
CONFIDENTIAL
DKBY 221615Z
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG 2222547 DEC 78
See 372
TO IMMEDIATE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
TELNO.1478 OF 22 DECEMBER,
HKK 243//
369
Attaʊ IN REJAKI No. 51
29 DEC 1978
DEs:,,
INDEX
No
129/12
REG RY Action Tun
CLE
INFO IMMEDIATE: PEKING, UKMIS GENEVA,
1.
PRIORITY: WASHINGTON, CANBERRA, MANILA, KUALA LUMPUR,
SINGAPORE, BANGKOK, HANOI, H.K GOVT OFFICE LONDON,
368
MY TELNO.1477 : ''HUEY FONG'.
THE SHIP WAS SIGHTED BY AUXILIARY AIR FORCE ISLANDER AIRCRAFT
AT 1326 HONG KONG TIME. SHE APPEARED REASONABLY WELL FOUND, NOT DOWN TO HER MARKS BUT WITH REFUGEES OCCUPYING PART OF THE DECK
UNDER AWNINGS, HMS WASPERTON MADE CONTACT WITH VESSEL AT 1545Z.
2. WE WILL CONTINUE TO TRY TO TURN HER AWAY FROM HONG KONG, BUT ARE PREPARED AND HAVE ARRANGED TO SUPPLY HER WITH FUEL, WATER, EMERGENCY PROVISIONS AND MEDICAL FACILITIES ETC, IF NECESSARY.
WE HAVE REPEATED TO THE MASTER OUR REFUSAL TO ALLOW THE SHIP
TO ENTER HONG KONG OR TO LAND REFUGEES HERE.
MACLEHOSE
[REPETITION TO HANOI REFERRED FOR DEPARTMENTAL DECISION, REPEATED
AS REQUESTED TO OTHER POSTS]
FILES
UND SEAD
HK & GD
FED
NEWS D
SAD
EID
PUSD
OID
IPD
PS
PS/LORD GORONWY ROBERTS
SIR A DUFF
MR CORTAZZI
MR MURRAY MR LEAHY
CONFIDENTIAL