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RECENT EVENTS. THESE WERE EVENTS IN CAMBODIA AND THE REFUGE SITUATION :THE LATTER WAS CLOSELY LINKED TO HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE SOUTH.
3. MAI VAN BO SAID THAT HE KNEW THE BRITISH VIEW ON CAMBODIA: IT WAS NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH REALITY AND WITH FRIENDSHIP TOWARDS VIETNAM. THERE WAS NO VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS. HE DREW ATTENTION TO HIS FOREIGN MINISTER'S STATEMENT ON REFUGEE (MYTELNO 26) THEY WERE COOPERATING WITH UNHCR ON THE MATTER. HE THEN REFERRED TO A BBC BROADCAST THIS MORNING ABOUT REFUGEES WHICH SUGGESTED THAT VIETNAM CONSIDERED REFUGEES AS AN EXPORT OUT OF WHICH TO MAKE MONEY. THIS WAS SLANDEROUS AND COMPLETELY DISTORTED AND HAD CAUSED INDIGNATION IN VIETNAM.
4. I TOLD BO THAT THERE WAS INCONTROVERTIBLE EVIDENCE
ABOUT PAYMENT BY REFUGEES WHICH WD SHORTLY BE REVEALED IN THE HONG KONG COURTS AS A RESULT OF CHARGES AGAINST THE CAPTAIN AND SOME MEMBERS OF THE CREW OF THE HUEY FONG. I WOULD PROVIDE HIM WITH THE EVIDENCE WHEN IT BECAME AVAILABLE.
5. BO ENDED BY SAYING THAT THE BRITISH DECISION HAD WORSENED
RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES AND WD LEAVE AN EFFECT ON TRADE:
'' BUSINESS WAS AT AN END ''
COMMENT
6. FOR OBVIOUS REASONS I DID NOT PRESS BO ON HIS LAST REMARK.
CLEARLY IT REFERRED TO THE COAL MINING EQUIPMENT CONTRACTS NOW
BEING NEGOTIATED. THE REMARK APPEARED TO BE MADE IMPROMPTU AND DID
NOT FORM PART OF THE TEXT WHICH HE READ WHEN MAKING THE POINTS REPORTED IN PARA 1 ABOVE. ALTHOUGH BO SPOKE STRONGLY AND THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE MEETING WAS COOL, I WD JUDGE THAT HIS INTENTION WAS PRIMARILY TO TAKE A SHARP DUT NOT SUBSTANTIAL RESPONSE TO THE SEVERE TALKING TO YOU GAVE THE VIETNAMESE AMBASSADOR ON 23 JANUARY, TO CORTAZZI'S FOLLOW-UP OF 13 FEBRUARY AND TO MRS HART'S STATEMENT. THE LEVAL AT WHICH I WAS RECEIVED WOULD SEEM TO SUPPORT THAT VIEW.
7. I WD BE GRATEFUL FOR THE TEXT OF MRS HARTS STATEMENT AS SOON
AS POSSIBLE TOGETHER WITH GUIDANCE AND ANY NECESSARY INSTRUCTIONS,
MARGETSON
DEPARTMENTAL DISTN.
FED
SEAD
FRD
UND
NEWS D
HK & GD
OID
CABINET OFFICE
IPD
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