GPS 275
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG ONG 090255Z MAY 83
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELEGRAM NUMBER 639 OF 9 MAY 1983
INFO PRIORITY HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON
TO CLIFT FROM JEAFFRESON, SECRETARY FOR SECURITY,
HONG KONG
TOP COPY
HKK 243/1
RECEIVED IN REGISTELY
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48
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES
LYDIA DUNN HAS PUT DOWN FOUR QUESTIONS ON VIETNAMESE REFUGEES
FOR ME TO ANSWER ON 11 MAY. THEY CONCERN THE POTENTIAL TROUBLES 4AT THE CHI MA WAN CLOSED CENTRE ON 30 APRIL (MY TEL NOS. 584
AND 603 OF 29 APRIL AND 3 MAY RESPECTIVELY), THE COST OF PROVID-
ING ASYLUM FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES AND EXISTING SANCTIONS TO
PUNISH TROUBLEMAKERS.
7
(3.8)
2. I WILL PROVIDE FACTUAL ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS. BUT MISS
DUNN, WHO IS HANKISH ON THE SUBJECT OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, BY
WAY OF SUPPLEMENTARIES IS LIKELY TO FOLLOW UP HER QUESTION IN
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON 19 JANUARY 1983 TO THE EFFECT THAT
THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONSIDER REPATRIATING THE REFUGEES TO
VIETNAM. I SAID THEN THAT THIS WAS A POSSIBILITY WE WERE NOW
OBLIGED TO CONSIDER VERY SERIOUSLY.
3. IF NECESSARY, I SHALL HAVE SIMPLY TO RESPOND BY SAYING THAT
WE ARE STILL CONSIDERING THIS OPTION. BUT IT WOULD CLEARY BE
BETTER IF I COULD AT LEAST HINT THAT SOME PROGRESS HAS BEEN
MADE ON THE LINES OF YOUR TEL. NO. 334 OF 7 APRIL AND OUR TEL.
485 OF 11 APRIL. COULD YOU LET ME KNOW DESKBY 110200Z HOW FAR
I CAN GO DOWN THIS PARTICULAR ROAD.
YOUDE
LIMITED HK + GD
SEAD
UND
MR GIFFARD
COPIES TO:
HKGO, LONDON
CONFIDENTIAL