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Her 02614

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1 JUN 1979

DEST OFF INDO

REGISTRY Action Taken

GRS 250

SECRET

DESKBY 2923OOZ

FM FCO 291905Z MAY 79

TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG

TELEGRAM NUMBER 333 OF 29 MAY

PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM CORTAZZI

1. WHEN WE SPOKE ON THE TELEPHONE YESTERDAY YOU SAID THAT YOU WOULD BE READY TO COME HOME FOR CONSULTATIONS IN ADVANCE OF YOUR LEAVE IF MINISTERS THOUGHT IT WOULD BE HELPFUL AT THE PRESENT JUNCTURE. I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE WHO AGREES THAT IT WOULD BE USEFUL IF YOU COULD RETURN TO LONDON AS SOON AS YOU CAN CONVENIENTLY MANAGE IT. LORD CARRINGTON WILL BE ABROAD FOR THE REST OF THIS WEEK. HE WILL BE IN LONDON ON 4, 6 AND 7 (BUT NOT 5 AND 8) JUNE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR PLANS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

2. AS SEEN FROM HERE, THE PURPOSE OF YOUR VISIT WOULD BE TO DISUCSS THE COMPLEX OF IMMIGRATION PROBLEMS NOW FACING YOU IN PARTICULAR WHAT FURTHER HELP THE UK CAN GIVE OVER VIETNAMESE REFUGEES (WITHIN THE LIMITS OF WHAT IS POLITICALLY POSSIBLE IN THIS COUNTRY), AND HOW BEST TO APPROACH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES OVER THE INFLUX FROM CHINA. WE MIGHT ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS NEXT STEPS OVER NEW TERRITORIES LEASES. MINISTERS HAVE BEEN BRIEFED ON THIS QUESTION IN GENERAL TERMS BUT WE HAVE THOUGHT IT BEST TO DELAY SEEKING THEIR AUTHORITY FOR FURTHER ACTION WHILE THEY

ARE PREOCCUPIED WITH THE PROBLEM OF REFUGEES FROM VIETNAM.

SECRET

13. WE WILL

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