CONFIDENTIAL
GRS 210
NFIDENTIAL
DESKBY 280900Z F CO
FM HONG KONG 280700Z MAY 79
HKK 24/1
RECEIVED IN FACSTSY NO. $1
757
TO IMMEDIATE F C O
TELEGRAM NUMBER 657 OF 28 MAY
DESK OFFICI
INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDONTA
No
Y
(254)
A
MY TELNO 647: VIETNAMESE REFUGEES : 'STBONGA ANDRO ACHBANK".
1. THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETS TOMORROW AT 0930 LOCAL. FAILING A DECISION ON THE 'SIBONGA'', GRATEFUL FOR AN INTERIM REPLY (DESKBY 282330Z) COVERING ANY POINTS ON WHICH YOU WISH TO CONSULT
SU (REFTEL PARA 3) AS WELL AS THE LATEST POSITION ON THE ' ''RO ACHBANK (PARAS 2 AND 3 BELOW).
2. WE HAVE SEEN PRESS REPORTS THAT THE OWNERS OF THE ''RO ACHBANK
ARE TRYING TO PERSUADE THE AUTHORITIES IN TAIWAN TO ALLOW HER CARGO TO BE OFFLOADED IN KAOHSIUNG SO THAT IT CAN COME HERE WITH THE
REFUGEES STILL ABOARD.
3. GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD URGE BANK LINE TO INSTRUCT THE ''ROACHBANK'' TO AWAIT THE UK DECISION WHERE IT IS. IF IT CAME ON
HERE WITH REFUGEES ON BOARD WE WOULD HAVE TO REFUSE ENTRY. IF THE FINAL DECISION IS THAT HMG CAN OFFER A GUARANTEE THEN WE BELIEVE IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT THIS IS APPLIED IN TAIWAN AS THE SHIPS FIRST PORT OF CALL.
MACLEHOSE
FILES
UND
HK & GD
SEAD
FED
MVD
SIR A PARSONS
MR CORTAZZI
MR MURRAY
MR LEAHY
MR FIGG
CONFIDENTIAL
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