CONFIDENTIAL

機密

APPENDIX 1 to ANNEX C

TEXT OF TELEGRAM SENT AT HKG'S REQUEST FROM UNITED STATES CONSUL GENERAL TO TAIPEI ON 23RD DECEMBER, 1979.

"1.

The Hong Kong Government has requested the good offices of Embassy Taipei in conveying the following message to appropriate FOC authorities. The freighter HUEY FONG, whose owners are located in Taiwan, is currently anchored near Hong Kong waters with 2,700 refugees aboard. The Master of the vessel states that he rescued the refugees while en route from Bangkok to Kaohsiung. The HKG has provided the vessel with food, water, medical supplies and other emergency supplies so as to ensure its safe arrival in Kachsiung. The RCC is requested to provide its assurances that it will accept the refugees in accordance with its policy of accepting refugees picked up at sea by a Chinese ship.

2.

In the event that the ROC does not accept the HUEY FONG as a Chinese ship, Embassy Taipei is requested to seek assurances that the ROC will accept the Inde chinese refugees of Chinese origin in accordance with ROC policy of accepting refugees of Chinese origin picked up at sea by foreign ships with one of the ports of province of Taiwan scheduled as the first port of call. In the event that this assurance is granted, the HKG is prepared to accept return of the ethnic Vietnamese as outlined in reftel B.

3.

The HKG intends to inform the master of the HUEY FONG of the policy of ROC and persuade him to sail to Kaohsiung. The HKC would be grateful if embassy could obtain confirmation of the ROC acceptance of the refugees on an urgent basis, this evening if the embassy judges this prudent and possible.

The master is expected to attempt to communicate with the ROC authorities by radic and the HKG hopes that their message roaches the appropriate authorities before the master submits his request for entry".

4.

CONFIDENTIAL

GF 323

機密

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