CODE 18-77
ED. 12/76
TA 645/1
4180
CONFIDENTIAL
Reference
Mkk 243/1
ROLAND TERAVO. 51 1 6 MAR 1979
30.
NOTE FOR THE RECORD
INDEX
PA
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES: LUCKY DRAGON
ما
293
Following message dated 6 March has been received from HM Ambassador, Hanoi:
MFA could not agree to see me before 5 March. I therefore delivered a note on 2 March containing text in your telegram. I also gave information to De Haan, Deputy UN High Commissioner for Refugees, who, without mentioning Lucky Dragon by name, spoke to Vice Minister Hoang Bich Son on 3 March about such refugee ships.
I was summoned to MFA on 5 March. Head of Europe 2 Department, Mai Van Bo, said that information in note was pure fabrication and slanderous. The Government of Vietnam was not involved in arranging departure of refugees, HMG must end its attitude of hostility towards Vietnam and bear responsibility for worsening relations. He rejected note. He added that Vietnam was cooperating closely with UNHCR on refugee problems.
I replied that there was nothing slanderous in note. The worsening relations derived from action which Vietnam had herself taken in Cambodia and over refugees. Ι was glad to hear of Vietnamese cooperation with UNHCR, I left the note on the
table.
14 March 1979
Cow Hamfe
ि
CT W Humfrey
South East Asian Department
обобда
CC: Hong Kong & General D
United Nations Dept
I C Orr Esq., Assistant Political Adviser,
Hong Kong.
CONFIDENTIAL