CONFIDENTIAL
A HANGI 053420Z JUN 79
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELNO 157 OF 5 JUNE
PERSONAL FOR PUS
1.
ONFIDEN HAL
HKK 243/1
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
IND
-7 JUN
CSK OFFICER
STRY
PA
Action
en
no 29.6
963
COPY
MANY THANKS FOR YOUR PERSONAL TELEGRAM NUMBER 90.
2. HMG'S ACTION OVER THE REFUGEE EXODUS,
WITH WHICH I FULLY AGREE, WILL CERTAINLY ANNOY THE VIET- NAMESE. BUT I DO NOT THINK THERE IS MUCH RISK OF VIOLENCE AGAINST THIS EMBASSY. THE VIETNAMESE STYLE IS TO MAKE LIFE DIFFICULT BY CUTTING OFF ELECTRICITY, REMOVING SERVANTS ETC. RATHER THAN BY STAGING DEMONSTRATIONS. I AGREE
THEY MIGHT DEMAND MY WITHDRAWAL.
3. MY CHIEF CONCERN IS FOR CUR UNOFFICIAL OFFICE IN HO CHI MINH CITY WHICH IS DUE TO CLOSE ON 33 JUNE (IT HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN SENDING OVER 16,000 FAMILY REUNIFICATION CASES TO HONG KONG OVER LAST THREE YEARS). VIETNAMESE AUTH- CRITIES MIGHT REACT TO BRITISH DIPLOMATIC ACTION AND EXPOSURE OF THEIR REFUGEE RACKET BY REFUSING EXIT VISAS TO SIX VIETNAMESE STAFF WHO WISH TO LEAVE FOR HONG KONG ON COMPLETION OF THEIR WORK. I HAVE THEREFORE TAKEN IMMEDIATE ACTION TO START THEIR EMIGRATION PROCESS AND HOPE TO GET THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES AWAY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
MARGETSON
Fills
MR VQD
UND
MA BUTLER MR LEAHY
CHIGE CLEAR
CONFIDENTIAL