GRS 129
UNCLASSIFIED
FM CANBERRA 300810Z NOV 79
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELEGRAM NUMBER 660 OF 30 NOVEMBER 1979
AND TO IMMEDIATE GOVERNOR HONG KONG
HKK 243, RECEIVLO NA RESIGNTY NO. 51
3 DEC 1979
DESK OFFICER
R
INDEX
PA
Action Tuken
MIPT: FOLLOWING IS AUSTRALIAN PRESS RELEASE.
REFUGEES RESCUED BY BRITISH TANKER
1886
109
:
1. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION AND ETHNIC AFFAIRS CONFIRMED THIS AFTERNOON THAT A BRITISH OWNED AND REGISTERED TANKER, THE ENTALINA, RESCUED 150 INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES FROM A SINKING BOAT IN THE JARVIS SEA YESTERDAY, 29 NOVEMBER.
2. THE TANKER, WHICH IS A 19600 DWT VESSEL OWNED BY SHELL, IS EN ROUTE TO DARWIN WHERE IT IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE ON TUESDAY, 4 DECEMBER. THE TANKER SAILS REGULARLY BETWEEN SINGAPORE AND DARWIN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
3. THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE RESETTLEMENT OF THE REFUGEES IS UNDER ACTIVE DISCUSSION BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND AUSTRALIAN AUTHORITIES.
4. THE REFUGEE GROUP OF 150 COMPRISES 85 MALES AND 65 FEMALES, 19 BEING YOUNG CHILDREN THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ENDS.
TEBBIT
FILES
SEAD
NEWS, D PS/ MR BLAKER
ML CORTAZZ
LORD N.G, LENNOX
SPD
HK v GD
MR MURRAY
UND
MVD
MAED
OID
COPIES TO :
HE GODDARD, HOME OFFICE MR LOVE, IMMIG & NATIONALITY
DIV:
LUNAR HOUSE
HOME OFFICE
MR BELLBY. SPD, DOT
PARLIAMENT SQUARE HOUSE
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