GRPS 15@
RESTRICTED
FM DUBLIN 2615432 JULY
TO PRIORITY FCO
RESTRICTED
TELEGRAM NUMBER 173 OF 26 JULY 1979.
INFO PRIORITY HONG KONG
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES
1467
HKK 243|!.
PAJ 2727
1. TOM LYONS, THE COUNSELLOR AT THE DFA IN CHARGE OF ASIAN AFFAIRS HAS TOLD US THAT THE IRISH GOVERNMENT HAVE DECIDED THAT THE FIRST ONE HUNDRED REFUGEES ACCEPTED FOR SETTLEMENT IN THE IRISH REPUBLIC SHOULD COME FROM HONG KONG. WE WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT
THIS DECISION IS A RESULT OF OUR STRENUOUS LOBBYING EFFORTS. THE
IRISH GOVERNMENT HAVE ALSO DECIDED TO PAY FOR THEIR TRAVEL E
EXPENSES.
2.
22
4/1470
THE REFUGEES ARE EXPECTED TO TRAVEL TO THE IRISH REPUBLIC ON (11473)
3 OR 9 AUGUST. REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNIICR HAVE APPARENTLY AGREED TO MAKE THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE AUTHORITIES IN HONG KONG. THE IRISH EMBASSY IN LONDON HAVE ALSO BELN INSTRUCTED TO
INFORM THE FCO OF THE IRISH PLAN.
3. LYONS SAID THAT A SECOND GROUP OF ONE HUNDRED REFUGEES IS TO BE ACCEPTED BY THE IRISH, BUT THEY WILL PROBABLY BE TAKEN FROM SOMEWHERE OTHER THAN HONG KONG.
HAYDON
.
PS/LPS PS/MR HURD' PS/ER BLAKER PS/PUS
FILES SEAD
NEWS D M & VD
HR FERGUSSON
ADDITIONAL DISTN
MR FRETWELL.
HK & GD
PS
BOAT PEOPLE
UND
FED
EESD
NAX D
SAD
EID
PUSD
01 IPD
SIR A DUFF
SIR A PARSONS
MR CORTAZZI
MR STRATION
LORD NG LENNOX
MR BULLARD
RESTRICTE