CONFIDENTIAL
•
C. TO TRY TO PUT ACROSS, BOTH TO THOSE INVOLVED IN THE REFUGEE- RUNNING RACKET AND TO AN INCREASINGLY WORRIED LOCAL OPINION
THAT, DESPITE THE HUEY FONG AND SKYLUCK INCIDENTS, HONG KONG WILL NOT BE A COMPLETELY SOFT OPTION FOR FURTHER LARGE BOATLOADS OF REFUGEES.
2. THE PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF WHAT WE HAVE SAID ARE THAT
WE WILL ENDEAVOUR TO KEEP OUT, OR TO HOLD AWAY FROM THE MAIN PORT AREA, PREFERABLY ON THE BOUNDARY, ANY SHIPS WHICH WE SUSPECT OF BEING IN THE HUEY FONG OR SKYLUCK CATEGORIES. DOING THIS DEPENDS OF COURSE ON IDENTIFYING SUCH SHIPS IN ADVANCE, WE REALISE THAT THIS WILL NOT BE EASY AND THAT THERE WILL ALWAYS BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SHIPS TO SLIP THROUGH AS DID THE SKYLUCK.
3. WE DO NOT INTEND TO PIN OURSELVES DOWN IN ADVANCE TO ANY PARTICULAR METHOD FOR DEALING WITH SUCH SHIPS. EACH EPISODE IS LIKELY TO HAVE ITS OWN PARTICULAR CHARACTERISTICS AND WILL HAVE TO BE PLAYED ACCORDINGLY.
4. MEANWHILE WE WILL CONTINUE TO HOLD THE SKYLUCK WHERE IT IS TO CARRY OUT POLICE AND OTHER INVESTIGATIONS. WE INTEND TO TAKE OUR TIME ABOUT DOING THIS, WE HAVE A VERY REAL ACCOMMODATION PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, PUBLIC OPINION WOULD NOT ACCEPT THE RAPID LANDING OF THOSE WHO HAVE MANAGED TO SLIP IN AS THE SKYLUCK HAS
DONE.
FCO PASS SAVING HANOI
;
MACLEHOSE
[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]
PS/LORD GORONWY
FILES
HK & GD
PS
UND
'SEAD
FED
SAD
COPIES TO
HONG HONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE
HOME OFFICE
ROBERTS
MR BURLEIGH
PS/MR LUARD
PS/PUS
SIR A DUTF
EID (E)
FUSD
OID
IPD
NEWS D MVD
SIR A PARSONS
MR.CORTAZZI
MR.J.C.MOBERLY
MR.MURRAY
2
QUEEN ANNE'S GATE
MR BIRT
HOME OFFICE
LUNAR HOUSE CROYDON
CONFIDENTIAJ
LONDON