PP HONG KONG
GRS 435
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO 161022Z MAY 85
TO PRIORITY HONG KONG
CONFIDENTIAL
:
По обле
18860
MKK 243/5.
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
17 MAY 1985
DFSK OFFICES
TELEGRAM NUMBER 685 OF 16 MAY
INDEX
PA
INFO UKMIS GENEVA, HANOI ROUTINE
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INFO SAVING HKGO LONDON
REGISTRY
Action Taken
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243/5.
124) OUR TELNO 539 : VIETNAMESE REFUGEES : POLICY PAPER FOR MINISTERS
1. THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS CONSIDERED OUR SUBMISSION AND
POLICY PAPER ON VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG IN CONSULTATION
WITH MR LUCE AND OFFICIALS.
2.
AFTER A FULL DISCUSSION OF OUR RECOMMENDATION TO DISCUSS
WITH THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT THE POSSIBILITY OF REPATRIATING
BOAT PEOPLE TO VIETNAM, THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS CONCLUDED THAT
THIS SHOULD NOT BE PURSUED. THE ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF THE
COURSE WERE GIVEN A FULL AIRING, BUT SO WERE THE UNDENIABLE
DRAWBACKS. THE SECRETARY OF STATE TOOK THE VIEW THAT EVEN
DISCUSSION OF FORCIBLE REPATRIATION WITH THE VIETNAMESE WOULD
STIMULATE AN OUTCRY IN PARLIAMENT AND FROM PUBLIC OPINION, AND
PROBABLY ALSO INTERNATIONALLY, WHICH WOULD REBOUND AGAINST BOTH
HMG AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, AND COULD RESULT IN EVEN MORE
PRESSURE AGAINST THE CLOSED CAMPS POLICY. AGAINST THIS HE SAW
LITTLE PROSPECT OF THE INITIATIVE ACTUALLY LEADING TO A
SUCCESSFUL POLICY OF REPATRIATION TO VIETNAM, GIVEN VIETNAMESE
INTRANSIGENCE. HE CONCLUDED THAT THE LIKELY GAINS WERE NOT
COMMENSURATE WITH THE RISKS.
3. THE SECRETARY OF STATE ACCEPTS THAT OUR INABILITY TO TAKE
FURTHER ACTION TO PREVENT REFUGEES ARRIVING MAKES ACTION TO
INCREASE OFFTAKE DOUBLY IMPORTANT. HE AGREES THAT IF WE ARE TO
HAVE ANY HOPE OF PERSUADING OTHER COUNTRIES TO ACCEPT INCREASED
NUMBERS FROM THE CAMPS IN HONG KONG, WE SHALL OURSELVES NEED TO
ACCEPT A LARGER NUMBER IN THE UK. HE NOW INTENDS TO APPROACH THE
HOME SECRETARY IN AN EFFORT TO PERSUADE HIM THAT WE SHOULD OFFER
TO NOT ONLY TAKE THE 400-500 FAMILY REUNION CASES, RECOMMENDED IN THE SCORRI REPORT, BUT ALSO MAKE A COMMITMENT TO ACCEPT A GREATER /Numb
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