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ZSYNZ
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FOR JE PVOESON, SECRETARY FOR SECURITY
FROM WOODHOUSE IN NEW YORK
24 OCT 85 NY/GEN/194
COPIED TO: HKG OFFICES IN WASHINGTON, BRUSSELS,
GENEVA (PL COPY TO WALKER AT UKMIS) LONDON (PL COPY TO LEEKS AT FCO)
355)
Do walker
eather Nash SEAD
Po SORRI
CONFIDENTIAL
MEETINGS IN OTTOWA
ON 23 OCTOBER, I HAD LUNCH WITH BRYAN SPRINGGAY, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, EAST ASIA PROGRAMS DIVISION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS. HE HAS JUST RETURNED FROM HONG KONG AFTER FOUR YEARS.
2. HE SAID BLUNTLY THAT THE CANADIAN AUTHORITIES DID NOT THINK THAT RESETTLEMENT PRESENTED A SOLUTION AND THOUGHT THAT EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO REPATRIATE SOME OF THE ARRIVALS IN HONG KONG. THIS WOULD ENSURE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FINITE AND WOULD DEMONSTRATE HONG KONG AND HMG'S WILLINGNESS TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM AT SOURCE. HE WAS AWARE OF HONG KONG'S POSITION REGARDING VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION BUT EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR HMG TO INITIATE DISCUSSIONS ON THIS SUBJECT.
HE ALSO CLARIFIED (PLEASE PROTECT) WHAT HE HAD MENTIONED ON THE PHONE ABOUT DIFFERENT PERCEPTIONS OF THE PROBLEM IN HONG KONG. HE EXPLAINED THAT COPPITHORNE WAS MY SYMPATHETIC TO HONG KONG WHEREAS LUKE WAS MORE PRAGMATIC. I GOT THE IMPRESSION THAT LUKE WAS LISTENED TO MUCH MORE.
!
JJJ
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Lkk 24312
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
28 OCT 1985
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
REGISTRY
PA
Action Tak 1991 1