CONFILENTIAL
the Americans were taking in order to reassure Thailand:
accelerated military deliveries
provision of money
accelerated refugee offtake
establishment of a special Thai office (under himself). Mrs Carter's visit to Thailand had also been conceived with this in view. He wondered whether consideration could be given to Mr Blaker's visiting Bangkok on Mr Blaker's way to New Zealand. However, Mr Blaker recalled that Mr Marten would soon be in
Bangkok and could be briefed to tell the Thais about the Heads of Missions meeting.
British Response
14. He noted that the de-recognition was important because both Chinese and ASEANS were anxious not to lose any bargaining strength against Vietnam. Mr Cortazzi stressed that there was no question of our moving towards recognition of Heng Samrin.
Mr Blaker added that the proposal was to get closer to observance of our criteria and recognising facts of life in Asia. Mr Holbrooke thought that the major problem would be to influence the Chinese, and that if the matter were put to the ASEANS reasonably, they would come into line.
15. Fir Blaker thought that an approach to the Russians might be possible, perhaps in concert with others of the Nine. Mr Cortazzi considered that such an approach could take as its point of departure Mr Fergusson's remarks recently when he had sought Soviet help for getting the Vietnamese to allow relief supplies to go through. Mr Holbrooke thought there would be value if, during the debate, it could be stated that the Russians and Vietnamese had both been spoken to.
16. In discussing de-recognition, Mr Holbrooke recalled how difficult the US decision to vote for Pol Pot in the United Nations
General Assembly debate had been. But the decision had been correct, although the Americans never recognised Pol Pot. US Resettlement of Refugees. Implications for Hong Kong of New Policy
17. He then stated that in view of the Americans' need to demonstrate maximum support for Thailand, the President had decided to increase the allocation from Thailand of the 14,000 refugees a month that the Americans had agreed to accept overall.
5 -
CONFIDENTIAL
/This