HKK 24+3
CONFIDENTIALNO
1408B
DRAFT SPEECH FOR GOVERNOR AT GENEVA
DESK O
189.7
Since last year when the first Vietnamese
M.
refugees landed on the shores of South East Asian countries,
there has been a growing atmosphere of frustration and
despair throughout the region. Many of us realised even
in those early days the potential enormity of the problem
which faced us, but it seemed that the rest of the world
was too preoccupied with its own problems to focus on this
one which was happening so many thousands of miles away.
Our cries for help and attention were largely unheeded and
it is not surprising that tension rapidly built up.
But, following Mrs. Thatcher's initiative in
calling for an International Conference and Dr. Waldheim's
enthusiastic support for it, all that has changed.
The very
fact that we have 60 odd countries represented in Geneva
today is a major step forward, since it demonstrates quite
dramatically the change in world opinion which now undoubtedly
does recognise that this is a problem which cannot be solved
by South East Asian countries alone and which the international
community must grapple with if it is not to end in human tragedy
and disaster. I am therefore personally most grateful for the
enthusiasm of Dr. Waldheim and Mr. Hartling for the idea of
this Conference and for all the hard work which they have both
devoted to the preparatory work for it. I am also honoured to
have been called upon to speak since Hong Kong has been and is
continuing to be severely troubled by the Vietnamese refugee
problem and I greatly appreciate the chance to offer some
thoughts on the practical ways in which a solution may be
found.