GF 323
CONFIDENTIAL
機密
Appendix 3 to Annex C
REPORT RECEIVED FROM USCG ON 26TH DECEMBER, 1978
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1.
In accordance with referenced telegram Embassy Counsellor for Consular Affairs and Embassy Refugee Officer contacted GROC concerning the Indochinese refugees aboard the EUEY FONG. Mr. Yu Peng, Director, Office of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign affairs, on Tuesday morning, December 26, 1978, said that the GROC had not received any information from CARITAS either here or in Hong Kong on the HUEY FONG, nor was the GROC aware of any radio message received here from the vessel's master.
2.
Initial reaction of Mr. Yu Peng was that the GROC clearly would not be able to accept cwnership of the freighter HUEY FONG as "Chinese". The HUEY FONG is owned by the Huey Fong navigation Company, S.A. and while there are investors of the company who live in Taiwan there are also investors of the company who live in Hong Kong. The main office of the company, in fact, it was pointed out, is located at No. 132, Wing Lok Street, Second Floor Front Block, Hong Kong, telephone (H) 130064. Further, the vessel is registered in Panama.
3.
The assurances in paragraph two REFTEL were then presented. Mr. Yu Peng indicated there has been no change in the CROC's policy conceming the acceptance of refugees of Chinese origin picked up at sea by foreign ships with one of the ports of the province of Taiwan scheduled as the first port-of-call. Mr. Yu Peng believes, however, the GRCC would be unable to issue any advance assurances conceming the landing in Taiwan of the Indochinese refugees from the HUEY FONG. Mr. Yu Peng stressed that, in view of the immediate problems concerning the future of Taiwan, the GROC has not had time to consider this case at any proper governmental level. The GROC will take this matter under consideration.
4.
Mr. Yu Peng indicated that the refugees' welfare is of first importance and recommended the Hong Kong Government consider (1) the "non-entity" status of Taiwan, (2) the fact that the HUEY FONG is an old ship wresently loaded down with cargo and 2,700 Indochinese refugees, and (3) the probability that a sea voyage from Hong Kong to Taiwan might be very hazarĉcus. Mr. Yu Peng added that these refugees might, in view of these facts, be better off in Hong Kong where there are many international agencies involved in refugee work to whom the refugees could turn for aid.
5.
COMMENTS: The Director mentioned the word "non-entity" a number of times when referring to Taiwan. The meaning he was trying to convey was possibly that the refugees would be better off in a temporary shelter where they would have access to the various intomatinal agencies that are helping to resettle refugees. of the HUEY FONG arriving off Kaosiung, it seems that is where the matter may well rest.
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