A
34911
CONFIDENTIAL
CALL BY THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG ON THE SECRETARY OF STATE: 23 JUNE 1981
Present:
The Rt Hon the Lord Carrington
Sir Murray MacLehose GBE KCMG KCVO
KCMG MC
Mr Nicholas Ridley MP
Mr A E Donald CMG
Mr R D Clift
Mr R M J Lyne
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES
Sir M MacLehose said that there were 16,000 refugees still in Hong Kong. There was now virtually no net outflow.
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Lord Carrington said that he had every sympathy but he must make clear that it would be a very difficult task indeed to get agreement to accept more Vietnamese refugees given the rate of unemployment in Britain.
3. Mr Ridley said that probably the only hope would be if some major crisis made it clear that urgent humanitarian action was necessary. Lord Carrington agreed. He appreciated that the Governor needed something to encourage the Americans to keep going.
4. Sir M MacLehose said that he had discussed the question with the American Secretary of State, Mr Haig, who had said that the US would try to keep their offtake going and had not reproached the UK about its record.
It was agreed that the situation must be watched closely and that the FCO would keep in touch with the Governor on the need for and timing of action.
5.
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DISTRIBUTION:
HKGD (to enter)
Private Secretary
PS/LPS
PS/PUS
PS/Mr Ridley
Sir E Youde (o/r)
Mr Donald
SEAD
Acting Governor, Hong Kong (Personal)
CONFIDENTIAL
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