CLASSIFICATION
map Secret,
Secret
Zafidential.
Restricted
Unclasslied.
Y MARKING
LETTER
DRAFT
To:
Mr Cartledge
No 10 Downing Street
Type 1 +
I rem
Mr Gomersall
Telephone No Lxt
In Confidence!
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES: MV BRITISH RESOLUTION
Department
The BRITISH RESOLUTION, a British Petroleum Super Tanker
(270,000 tonnes) rescued 36 Vietnamese refugees on 29 August
en route from Panama to Singapore to enter dry-dock.
due at Singapore early on Friday 31 August.
It is
We immediately' asked the Singapore authorities to accept the refugees without a guarantee of eventual resettlement in the United Kingdom although we knew this to be their standard potify. They have now told us that they will not do so. I t is therefore necessary for the Government to take an early
decision on whether to give such a quarantee. You will recall that in the case of the MV Ashford, which also went to Singapore, the Prime Minister agreed that a guarantee should be given.
The Lord Privy Seal believes that, as on previous occasions of British ships arriving in Singapore with refugees on board, we have no option but to give the requested guarantee. In this case there are additional complications which argue for a very early decision. Prior to entry into dry dock, it is necessary for the BRITISH RESOLUTION to carry out certain tank cleaning and de-gassing operations. BP advise us that these have had
to be suspended due to the presence of refugees on board. This will mean a further cruise after disembarkation of the refugees to allow the necessary work to be completed, since it cannot be done while the ship is at anchor. If the vessel
/is
CONFIDENTIAL
Dd 0532000 800M 5/78 HMSO Bracknell
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