CONFIDENTIAL
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HKK 243/1
HKK 24311
72
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG
1.
In your minute of 14 June to Mr Clift you refer to the undesirability of trying to use the Australians to intervene in Hanoi, on our behalf over the refugee problem. Whilst we understand your arguments for this we do feel that there would be some merit in making sure that Mr Hayden is fully aware of the British (and? Western) position before he attends the ASEAN meeting and goes to Hanoi.
2.
Apart from our general interest in nurturing our bilateral relations with the Australians by taking them into our confidence wherever possible we believe the Australians will be expecting something more from us than you were able to give in your telegram 185 of 25 May to Sir John Mason. Furthermore the Hong Kong Government will undoubtedly take the opportunity of Mr Hayden's visit to them to question him about Hanoi and the possibility or otherwise of taking more Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong.
3.
If you agree might I suggest that Canberra should be asked by telegram to follow up your telegram 185 by handing over at a senior official level a statement of Britain's position and at the same time make it clear that we are not asking Mr Hayden to speak on our behalf.
HKK 243/1
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
17 JUN 1983
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CODE 18-77
SS 8/78
No
A White
South Pacific Department
16 June 1983
cc:
Mr Clift, HONG KONG DEPARTMENT Mr. Williams, UND
CONFIDENTIAL