&
2.
Captain Hossop, for the Owners, is deeply concerned
that the ship is stuck at Taiwan while costs and losses mount. He assured us that the Cwners would fall in with any wishes or advice from the British Government. We have asked him to be patient while the Government tackles the problem of the "Roachbank", now that a decision has been taken on the "Sibonga", and not meanwhile to direct the ship to Hong Kong which was to be its next port of call after Taiwan.
3.
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Given that the Taiwanese authorities are adamant, and in the light of our experience a few months ago with the "Wellpark" which arrived off Taiwan in similar circumstances, and for whose refugees we had to take ultimate responsibility there seems no alternative to acknowledging responsibility for those now in the "Roachbank". Pressure and public interest will clearly mount now that we have taken responsibility for the "Sibonga" and we think it is important to take a positive decision within the next 24 hours.
4. I am copying this letter to Bryan Cartledge in No. 10.
Jours sincerely
2
HAH Cortazzi
13.....