CONFIDENTIAL
THE MASTER PROMISED TO TAKE THE SHIP TO TAIWAN IF THE TAIWANESE GOVERNMENT WOULD GIVE THEM PRIOR PERMISSION TO LAND AND A GUARANTEE THAT THE REFUGEES WOULD BE REUNITED WITH THEIR FAMILIES IN AMERICA AND ELSEWHERE. HE WAS TOLD THAT WE COULD NOT SPEAK ON
BEHALF OF THE TAIWAN GOVERNMENT.
7. THE MASTER ALSO ASKED IMMIGRATION OFFICERS TO GO ON BOARD TO
INTERVIEW THE REFUGEES. THIS WAS REFUSED.
8. HE THEN ASKED IF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WOULD REQUEST THE.
U.S., CANADIAN AND FRENCH GOVERNMENTS TO TAKE THE REFUGEES OFF THE SHIP. HE WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE ALREADY SEVERAL THOUSAND REFUGEES IN HONG KONG AWAITING RESETTLEMENT.
FCO PLEASE PASS SAVING HANOI.
MACLEHOSE
[ REPEATED
AS REQUESTED]
FILES UND
W & GD
FS
PS/LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS
FS/MR LUARD
FS/FUS
SIR A DUFF
SEAD
FED
SAD
EID (E)
MR CONTAZZI
PUSD
CID
IPD
NEWS D
MVD
MR WEIN
MRMURRAY
COPIES TO
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON
MR BURLEIGH HOME OFFICE
MR BIRT
2
CONFIDENTIAL
QUEEN ANNE'S GATE HOME OFFICE
LUNAR HOUSE CROYDON