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GPS 150
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FM BONN 051345Z JAN 79
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NO 001 OF 5 JANUARY
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* HKK 305/11ie Coputer M
Information only/Action on
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~HKI 243/1
INFO PRIORITY FCO (FOR HONG KONG AND GENERAL DIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
8 JAN1979 REQUEST BY BAVARIAN TV (BAYERISCHER RUNDFUNTER TETAS ECTS OF THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG
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1. BAVARIAN TV HAVE SOUGHT OUR HELP IN OBTAINING PERMISSION FOR THEM TO LOOK INTO A SPECIAL ASPECT OF THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG. THEY HAVE SEEN REPORTS THAT THE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES BELIEVE THAT A NUMBER OF THE REFUGEES ARE THE VICTIMS OF AN ORGANISATION SET UP TO MAKE MONEY FROM THEIR MISFORTUNE. THEY QUOTE AN AP REPORT OF 1 JANUARY TO THE EFFECT THAT PASSENGERS OF THE HUEY FONG HAD PAID MONEY TO THE SAIGON AUTHORITIES QUOTE FOR A PASSAGE TO THE UNITED STATES END QUOTE. BAVARIAN TV WOULD NOW LIKE TO STUDY THIS PROBLEM MORE CLOSELY AND IN PARTICULAR FIND OUT WHO PAYS THE MONEY, WHO COLLECTS IT, WHO ACTS AS AGENT AND WHERE AND UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS THE PASSENGERS ARE ALLOWED TO BOARD THE VESSELS. THEY GO ON TO SAY THAT IF THEY ARE TO FILM A REPORT OF THIS TYPE THEY REALISE THAT THEY MUST ASK FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES. IN PARTICULAR, THEY ARE. INTERESTED IN OBTAINING PERMISSION FOR A FILM CREW TO ACCOMPANY NAVAL VESSELS ON PATROL, TO HAVE INTERVIEWS WITH OFFICIALS AS WELL AS WITH THE REFUGEES AND SHIPS' CAPTAINS ON THE QUESTIONS MENTIONED ABOVE, AND TO HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE SHIPS' OWNERS.
2. BAVARIAN TV IS A HIGHLY RESPONSIBLE ORGANISATION AND THE PROGRAMME CONCERNED, REPORT, IS A WELL-RESEARCHED MAGAZINE SHOWN AT PEAK VIEWING TIMES THROUGHOUT THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC. YOU MAY THINK THAT SOME PUBLICITY FOR THIS UNSAVOURY SIDE OF. THE BOAT PEOPLE'S PLIGHT MIGHT NOT BE A BAD THING.
3. AS IT IS THE TELEVISION STATION'S WISH TO FILM THEIR REPORT IN TIME TO INCLUDE IT IN A PROGRAMME ON 16 JANUARY, WE SHOULD BE VERY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR VIEWS UN THE REQUEST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
WRIGHT
FILES HK & GD IPD
NEWS D
DEF D
MR.CORTAZZI MR.STRATTON
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