HKK 24315 RECEIVED IN RESIIPY NO. 51
2 MAR 1983
DISK OFFICER
INDEX
18
See So See 29
CM 3/3
PA (repatriation). (33
(38)
CONFIDENTIAL
GR 123
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG 810640Z MAR 83
TO MEDIATE FCO
TELEGRAM NUMBER 203 OF 1 MARCH
M.
INFO ROUTINE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON, HANOI, UKMIS GENEVA, WASHINGTON
MY TELNO 263 : VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.
AT THIS MORNING'S MEETING OF EXCO THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE CONCERN ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF A NEW INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES INTO HONG KONG WITH THE ADVENT OF MORE FAVOURABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS. UNOFFICIALS REITERATED THEIR VIEW THAT THE VIETNAMESE NOW ARRIVING BY BOAT MUST BE REGARDED AS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND NOT AS POLITICAL REFUGEES. THEY DO NOT THINK THAT THE LOCAL POPULATION WOULD TOLERATE FOR MUCH LONGER THE DISPARITY IN TREATMENT BETWEEN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA (WHO ARE ALL SENT BACK) AND THOSE FROM VIETNAM.
2. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY UNOFFICIALS STRENGTHEN THE CASE FOR ACTION OF THE KIND RECOMMENDED IN MY TEL UNDER REF. I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF ARRANGEMENTS COULD BE MADE FOR ME TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSALS IN THAT TELEGRAM WITH LORD BELSTEAD WHILE I AM IN LONDON NEXT WEEK.
YOUDE
Meeting planned for 10/3. Lord Belstend's office agree.
BOAT PEOPLE
LIMITED
SEAD
HK & GD
UND
FED
PUSD
NEWS D KAED
PS
PS/LORD BELSTEAD PS/PUS
MR WRIGHT MR GIFFARD
MR DONALD MR ADAMS MR URE
ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION
BOAT PEOPLE
COPIES TO:
MISS WILMSHURST, LEGAL ADVISER HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE
CONFIDENTIAL