CDOS
UNF IDENTIAL
Ms M. Huf
مسكرة
Julle on
Mr.
24311
2 UNITED KINGDOM MISSION
CM.
37-39 RUE DE VERMONT
1202 GENEVA
TELEPHONE 34 38 00
33 23 85
?
This is presumably a taste
of what the latest HKG proposal (after thar talles mit Sympton & Pike)
It is unfolinde
will amont to. Uniter have head about I-P
JD N Hartland-Swann Esq
SEAD
FCO
te tit
+ dingove us!
19/12
Dear Mr Hartland - Swann,
BOAT PEOPLE: HONG KONG
15 December 1983
Mhe. Hoare
Pl. speak. This & way Jachin Agletter HK altitude will wor do
20/12
To Mr looks
A
1. I happened to sit next to Mr Moussalli (Director of the Protection Division, UNHCR) at dinner last evening and he took the opportunity to tell me of an approach the UNHCR has had from the Hong Kong authorities via the UNHCR Representative in Hong Kong.
2. The Hong Kong authorities have told UNHCR that they are considering introducing the screening of Vietnamese boat people, with the intention of returning those not qualifying as refugees to Vietnam They would plan to do this with the agreement of the Vietnamese authorities, with whom they have not yet been in contact. They have asked the High Commission for its views on the proposal, on which they have not yet made up their own minds.
3. Mr Moussalli made it clear that the High Commission take this very seriously, given the repercussions it would have on all receiving countries in the area, quite apart from the risks for the boat people themselves. He speculated that Hong Kong might in fact see their proposal as a way to put pressure on the UNHCR or on the British Government, or both. Mr Moussalli expected the UNHCR reply to say, first, that they would need to be assured that the Vietnamese authorities accepted the return of those concerned and, second, that those returned would be safe. He offered to send me a copy of the telegram, which will issue in a day or two..
4.
I expressed ignorance of this development in Hong Kong thinking - in spite of the fact that it must have been put to the High Commission very soon after Mr Williamson was here for the Executive Committee.
CONFIDENTIAL
15.