Dear Michael,
HKK 243/1
Euli:
mu nauding HK GD
FEDE MEAD
RESTO in Plus Fohug and Commonwealth Office
IN.
- 7 SEP 1979
London SW1A 2AH
REGISTRY Action Taken
Le 5/1
(1662
eptember 1979
PA
JB.9
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES: MV BRITISH RESOLUTION AND MV RUDD BANK
You asked on 3 September to be brought up to date on
developments since the Prime Minister agreed to the proposals
in Stephen Gomersall's letters of 31 August to Bryan Cartledge.
On the MV British Resolution, our High Commission have
informed us that they have given the guarantee requested by
the Singapore authorities.
allowed to land today.
-
The refugees are expected to be
On the MV Rudd Bank, the Japanese have not SO far requested
a guarantee, and it remains our Embassy's assessment that they
will allow the refugees to
refugees to land temporarily without one. The
Japanese authorities are now reported by our Embassy to be
seeking temporary accommodation for the refugees. As Stephen
Gomersall noted in his letter of 31 August, their reception
facilities are already almost full.
The undertaking given by Mr Sonoda in Geneva committed
Japan to allowing refugees to land temporarily without a
guarantee from the flag state. It now Looks as though this
undertaking may be honoured without the need for further repres-
entations by the Embassy, in spite of the unusual circumstances
of the Rudd Bank refugees' arrival. The Japanese may still
to accept some of the refugees at a press us
later stage,
perhaps after it becomes clear how many of the 119 can be
accepted elsewhere.
I am copying this letter to John Chilcot (Home Office),
Martin Vile (Cabinet Office), Bill Beckett (Law Officer's
Department) and Tom Harris (Department of Trade).
M A Alexander Esq
10 Downing Street
London SW1
Yours simcndy, Myles.A. Wickstead /:
M A Wickstead
Assistant Private Secretary to the Lord Privy Seal
(Sir Ian Gilmour)
i
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