ZCZC
LNWDAN 4695 OCMIAN 7004
CONFIDENTIAL
TT WASHI
FM FCOLN TO GEMIS
161125Z OCT
GPS 375
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO TELELETTER UKMIS GENEVA
TELELETTER
OF 161125Z OCTOBER 85
Gale
O dartell for inf
C.C
295
(I was next present for discussing a para's
-5. I have,
2
MATED)
minated
separately
My discussain with von Egmand about HK 1 14 and
matters).
22/10.
@pa 243/5.
Information Jest. (porn 2-3)
AND TO TELELETTER BANGKOK, HONG KONG, HANOL, WASHINGTON, PARIS
FOR B D ADAMS ESQ
Somet
Dep't
C
じ
COPIES TO P L BEANA ESQ S SIT ESO - SECURITY BRANCH, M JH WOOD ESQ S J COMERSALL ESO, G H FRY ESQ VIETNAMESE REFUGEES
1. ON 14 OCTOBER OLIVIA WALKER
fMr. Seller, ODA
COPDON SIMPSON AND I DISCUSSED
the
ор
SHIP RESCUE AND OTHER REFUGEE MATTERS WITH MR ALAN VAN EGMOND OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT BUREAU FOR REFUGEE PROGRAMS. THE AMERICANS ARE GENERALLY SATISIFED WITH THE WAY RASRO IS FUNCTIONING. THEY APE CONCERNED THOUGH AT THE LACK OF A TRANSIT CENTRE FOR OVERSTAYERS' IE REFUGEES NOT TAKEN UP BY A RASPO MEMBER STATE WITHIN 90 DAYS. THE PHILIPPINES WERE NOT PREPARED
VAN EGMOND SAID THAT UNHCR
TO OFFER PALAWAN FOR THIS PURPOSE. HAD SUGGESTED THAT HONG KONG MIGHT OFFER SUCH FACILITIES. 2. VAN EGMOND SPOKE OF THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRENCH MERCY SHIP, THE COMMANDANT CHARCOT, ESCORTED BY A FRENCH NAVAL CORVETTE, OFF THE SOUTH VIETNAMESE COAST DURING MAY UNHCR HAD INTERVIEWED
PEFUGEES PICKED UP BY THE CHARCOT, MANY OF WHOM SAID THEY HAD BEEN ENCOURAGED TO LEAVE VIETNAM BY BOAT BY REC VIETNAMESE SERVICE BROADCASTS REFERRING TO THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE CHARCOT.
3. IF SUBSTANTIATED THIS
IS SOMETHING WE WOULD WANT TO PURSUE WITH BUSH HOUSE. GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD CHECK VAN EGMOND'S STORY WITH UNHCP.
4. I ASKED VAN EGMOND ABOUT THE FATE OF THE VIETNAMESE PICKED UP BY THE POISK. HE TOLD ME THAT THIS QUESTION HAD BEEN RAISED WITH THE VIETNAMESE REPRESENTATIVE AT A RECENT UNCHR MEETING ON VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION HELD IN SAN REMO, ITALY. GRATEFUL TO SEE ANY REPORTS YOU MAY OPTAIN ABOUT THIS MEETING, WHICH IS NEWS TO ME. VAN EGMOND MENTIONED THAT IN AUGUST THERE HAD BEEN A SECOND INCIDENT INVOLVING A SOVIET MERCHANT SHIP ALONG THE LINES OF THE POISK INCIDENT: HE HAS PROMISED TO PROVIDE DETAILS.
5. VAN EGMOND EXPRESSED US GRATITUDE FOR BRITAIN'S CONTINUING SUPPORT FOR THE THAI ANTI-PIRACY PROGRAMME: AND CONCERN FOR FRANCE'S WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PROGRAMME. I TOLD HIM THAT, DESPITE THE PROGRAMME'S SHORTCOMINGS, WE WERE ENCOURAGED BY THE CONTINUING FALL IN THE RATE OF ATTACKS ON BOATS ARRIVING IN THAILAND AND THE APPARENT READINESS OF THE THAIS TO PROSECUTE.
SIGNED S T NASH
OCMIAN 7004
LIKK 243 15 RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
2 2 OCT 1985
NNNN
DESK OFFICER
REGISTRY
INDEX
PA
Action Taken