G L Angel Esq Home Office Lunar House Wellesley Road CROYDON CR9 2BY
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES:
RESTRICTED
"SIBONGA"
HKK 243/1
RECEIVES MA
ANDEX
233-4439
2228
1598
21 August 1979
592
1. I attach a telegram from Hong Kong (No. 1180 of 20 August) indicating that one of the refugees whose departure was post- poned on medical grounds is now fit to travel. I should be grateful for advice on which to base a reply to Mr Chu in Hong Kong.
1291 2. You will note that the problem of the 61 refugees with US connections (Hong Kong telegram No 929 of 5 July) remains unresolved. In your letter of 12 July you explained your reservations about accepting these on the basis of the UK's being made a staging point. You confirmed these views on the telephone to Webb today. It is clear, however, that the 61 have expressed a wish to settle here permanently. I have asked Hong Kong to let me know the present position regarding their applications to go to the United States and will contact you again when I have had a reply.
PJ Williamson
Hong Kong and General Department
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