MOSCOW TL 122
GRFS 400
O EESD
KUALA LUMPUR
SINGAPORE
MANILA
BANGKOK
TOKYO
CANBERRA
PEKING
HANOI
ce the Fergusson
The Maray
SEAD
FED
Наши Комуна). велесиль Эрь.
1262A
+ addressees all 5.
VIENTIANE
The Mallahey to fee
Enli
Mr Metaven
HKK 243/1
6.7
RESTRICTED
TELELETTER
FROM JL TAYLOR, MOSCOW
FILE REF: NIL 3 JULY 79
FOR DS BROUCHER, EESD, FCO.
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.
1. PRAVDA OF 30 JUNE CARRIES A PETROV' ARTICLE, ENTITLED ''THE REAL CULPRITS SHOW THEIR HYPROCRISY'', WHICH PROVIDES THE MOST AUTHORITATIVE TREATMENT TO DATE, OF THE QUESTION OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, IT BLAMES THE EXODUS ON FOREIGN INTERFERENCE WITH THE EMPHASIS MORE ON CHINA THAN ON THE UNITED STATES. IMPERIALISTS AND THE CHINESE HEGEMONISTS ARE SAID TO BE WHIPPING UP A CAMPAIGN AROUND THE REFUGEES WITHOUT WAITING FOR ANY OBJECTIVE EVALUATION OF THE POSITION OF VIETNAM, KAMPUCHEA AND LAOS ACCORDING TO THE FACTS OF THE PROBLEM.
2. THE ARTICLE THEN DESCRIBES VARIOUS STEPS TAKEN BY THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM. IN JANUARY 1979, THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT GAVE PERMISSION FOR PEOPLE TO LEAVE VIETNAM FOR THE PURPOSE OF FAMILY REUNIFICATION. IN FEBRUARY/MARCH, THEY HELD TALKS WITH A DELEGATION FROM THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, WHICH RESULTED IN A 7 POINT PROGRAMME. THEY HAVE ALSO AGREED TO TAKE PART IN A CONFERENCE OF THE COUNTRIES DIRECTLY CONCERNED, PROVIDED THAT IT TAKE PLACE UNDER THE AEGIS OF THE U.N.
3. THE ARTICLE CONCLUDES BY STATING THAT THE BROTHERLY SOCIALIST STATES AND THE PROGRESSIVE WORLD COMMUNITY SHARE THIS WELL FOUNDED AND LEGAL POSITION OF VIETNAM.
4. THE ARTICLE REFLECTS WHAT MAY BE INCREASING SOVIET CONCERN ABOUT INTERNATIONAL CRITICISM OF VIETNAM ON THIS QUESTION, BUT IN ESSENCE IT DOES NO MORE THAN REPLAY THE ARGUMENTS BEING USED BY THE VIETNAMESE. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT, IF ANTHING, THE RUSSIANS MAY BE DOING BEHIND THE SCENES, THEY HAVE CERTAINLY HAD NO LACK OF OPPORTUNITY RECENTLY FOR CONTACT WITH THE VIETNAMESE LEADERSHIP. PHẨM VAN DONG AND LE THANH NGHỊ WERE HERE FOR THE CMEA MEETING FROM 26-28 JUNE. DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER PHAN HIEN IS HERE FOR CONSULATIONS AND ALTERNATE POLITBURO MEMBER TO HUU HAS JUST LEFT MOSCOW. PRAVDA OF 30 JUNE ALSO ANNOUNCES THE ARRIVAL OF A DELEGATION LED BY POLITBURO MEMBER LE VAN JUONG.
5. I AM COPYING THIS TO: UKMIS GENEVA, UKMIS NEW YORK, KUALA LUMPER, SINGAPORE, MANILA, BANGKOK, HONG KONG (FOR GOVERNOR), TOKYO CANBERRA, WELLINGTON, PEKING, OTTAWA, HANOI AND VIENTIANE. EESD REGISTRY PLEASE PASS BY BAG TO: UKMIS GENEVA, UKMIS NEW
HONG KONG, "WELLINGTON AND OTTAWA.
SIGNER? JL TAYLOR