GD
47
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
FI HANOI 15070OZ JAN 79
TO ROUTINE FCO TELNO 27 OF 15 JAN ·
HKK 2+3/1
HALVED IN RECARY RO. 51
AND TO HONG KONG BANGKOK KUALA LUMPUR CANBERRA MANI ZAJSNGAPORE
UKMIS GENEVA WASHINGTON.
731
MIPT. VIETNAMESE EMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES.
INDEX
P
No
1. ONE EFFECT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WILL PROBABLY BE TO EASE THE ADMIN PROBLEMS WHICH WE (IN CONNECTION WITH HONG KONG),
AND OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED IN FAMILY REUNIFICATION SCHEMES.
BUT THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS CANNOT AFFECT BOAT REFUGEES AS
THEIR SITUATION IS PRIMARILY GOVERNED BY THE LACK OF ENTRY
VISAS TO OTHER COUNTRIES.
2. IN TERMS OF INTERNATIONAL OPINION, THE ANNOUNCEMENT WILL
ENABLE VIETNAM TO IMPROVE POSITION GREATLY. SHE CAN NOW
SAY ''WE ARE PREPARED TO LET VIRTUALLY ANYONE LEAVE VIETNAM,
IT IS UP TO OTHER COUNTRIES TO ISSUE THEM WITH VISAS. IF THEY,
RY
en
CLE
AND THE PEOPLE NEVERTHELESS LEAVE BY BOAT, THAT IS NOT OUR FAULT",
FCO PASS ALL.
MARGETSON
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]
153
FILES
SEAD
- UND
PS
PS/LORD GORONWY-ROBERTS FS/MR LUARD
PS/FUS
HK & GD
FED
SAD
SIR A DUFF
EID (E)
MR CORTAZZI
PUSD
MR WEIR
OID
MR MURRAY
IPD
NEWS D
COPIES TO
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE MR BURLEIGH HOME OFFICE
MR BIRT
LONDON
QUEEN ANNE'S GATE HOME OFFICE
LUNAR HOUSE CROYDON
MVD
CONFIDENTIAL