GRS 220
RESTRICTED
FM HONG KONG 280942Z JUNE 82
TO IMMEDIATE F C O
RESTRICTED
TELEGRAM NUMBER 690 OF 28 JUNE
INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON
(13)
MY TELNO 668 OF 23RD JUNE
RETURN OF RFA PERSONNEL
HICK
02012
No
29/6
14025916
THE ARRIVAL ON 26TH JUNE WENT WELL. WE WERE ABLE TO
CLEAR THE SEAMEN THROUGH IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS VERY QUICKLY AND
THEY JOINED THEIR FAMILIES ABOUT HALF AN HOUR AFTER THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN.
2. THERE WERE ABOUT 400 500 RELATIVES PRESENT, TOGETHER WITH THE PRESS. IT WAS VERY MUCH A FAMILY REUNION, THERE WAS NO HOSTILE QUESTIONING, AND LITTLE REFERENCE TO SAILING AGAINST THEIR WILL.
3. SUCH COMMENT AS THERE WAS CENTRED AROUND COMPENSATION, THOUGH THERE WAS SOME REFERENCE TO WHETHER OR NOT THE MEN WOULD SEEK RE-ENGAGEMENT.
4. THE SEAMEN ARE REPORTING TO HMS TAMAR TODAY AND SOME JOURNALISTS MAY ATTEMPT TO INTERVIEW THEM AFTERWARDS.
5. THE RETURN OF CASUALTIES IS LIKELY TO CREATE FURTHER INTEREST, BUT WE ASSESS THAT THE GENERAL INTEREST WILL PROBABLY DIE DOWN FAIRLY QUICKLY.
YOUDE
LIMITED HK r GD SAMD DEF.D
MR GILLMORE MR DONALD
COPIES To:
HONG KONG GOVT Office
LONDON
RESTRICTED
85