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G) HMG HAS A SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONGKONG 'S PLIGHT. THE DECISION TO ADMIT 1,000 REFUGEES FROM THE SIBONGA (YOUR TELNO 325 TO HONGKONG) PUTS US IN A FAVOURABLE LIGHT AND GIVES US A DEFENS POSITION AGAINST ANY CRITICISMS.
H) ANY HELP TO THE ICRC FOR THEIR OPERATIONS IN THAILAND (UKMIS GENEVA TELNO 160) WOULD BE WORTHWHILE AND WOULD PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF OUR GOOD INTENTIONS.
1)
THERE MUST HOWEVER, BE DOUBTS ABOUT THE PROSPECTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL ICRC OPERATION IN CAMBODIA ITSELF IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED CENTRAL GOVERNMENT. INDICATIONS ARE THAT, AS IN THE EARLIER CASE OF LAOS, ANY HELP PROVIDED WOULD ONLY FINISH UP WITH VIETNAMESE.
3. FCO PLEASE REPEAT AS APPROPRIATE.
MODUK PLEASE PASS DI 4.
QORING-MORRIS
FILES:
SEAD
SID
UND
HK & G D PS/MR BLAKER MK CORTAZZI MR MURRAY
[REPETITION TO HANOI REFERRED FOR
DEPARTMENTAL DECISION, REPEATED AS REQUESTED TO OTHER FOSTS]
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