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The hope was expressed that the U.K. could set an example by agreeing to take a substantial number. In a further telegram on 9th January, it was stressed that an offer from the U.K. to take at least 1,000 was needed both to calm public fears about the effect of being forced to allow the ship in, and as a lever to get offers from the rest of the international community. The Government said that, unless its hands were forced, it would defer a decision to bring the "Hucy Fong" in until it had a response from the F.C.0.
20.
On the 10th January, Legislative Council approved the legislative amendments which are described in paragraph 19 of Annex C. On the same day Hong Kong was informed that the Home Secretary had decided to admit 1,500 Viet- namese refugees from Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong and that the Foreign Secretary was recommending that 1,000 of these places be allocated to Hong Kong. Ministerial acceptance of this arrangement was confirmed on 13th January.
21.
On the 10th January, the Policy Group agreed that the Master should be given time for the fact that he faced the possibility of prosecution and a prison sentence to impinge on him. It was thought just possible that he would prefer Kaosiung. If not, it was agreed that sometime after 16th January (or before, if there was sufficiently bad weather to require the ship to enter for safety reasons without prejudicing the principle of first port of call but bringing the Master within jurisdiction) the Government would act as follows :-
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Go through the process of once more victualling and watering the ship for the voyage to Kaohsiung;
explain very carefully to the Master that he had not got permission to enter Hong Kong waters and should proceed to Kaohsiung;
explain also that if he entered British jurisdiction court action against him could result in substantial imprisonment and a very heavy fine;
finally say that Government vessels would cease to stand by the "Huey Fong" and that the Master would have to do whatever he thought best in his own interests;
(e) withdraw the vessels.
If the "Huey Fong" then entered Hong Kong waters, she would be boarded and escorted to an anchorage at which the crew and passengers could be processed before being disembarked. The Policy Group recognised the importance of ensuring that any scenario for the admittance of the ship should not prejudice the intended prosecution of the Master.
CONFIDENTIAL
機密