UK
Norway
USA
CONFIDENTIAL
2.
5
Number of incidents
5
Approximate
number of refugees
1,700 (since October
5
12
335
1978)
855 (since 1 July
1978)
Netherlands
1
66
Italy
1
22
FRG
2
96
France
2
140
4. No information is yet available about any such incidents involving
vessels of other nations, including "flag of convenience" states, or
the countries of South East Asia itself.
5. There are believed to be some 30 UK vessels in the South China
Sea at present. It has not been possible to discover what
proportion
this represents of total shipping in the area. We could
consult the computer of Lloyds Register of Shipping at a cost of
£500. Our share of shipping should not, however, be exaggerated.
The Press has reported that British Shipping lines have altered their
routes to avoid the areas where refugees would be most likely to be
encountered.
CONFIDENTIAL