CONFIDENTIAL
2016
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TO SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL RELIEF EFFORT.
22.
ON RESETTLEMENT, OUR FIRST PRIORITY MUST BE HONG KONG (HIGH
CASE LOAD, HIGH PROPORTION OF LONG STAYERS). SCORRI COMMITMENT
INCLUDES PLACES FOR 60 REFUGEES IN CAMPS IN SE ASIA. NOW
IMPLEMENTING THIS.
SOLUTION.
RESETTLEMENT CAN ONLY BE AT BEST A PARTIAL
23. PROSPECTS FOR MORE LOCAL INTEGRATION, INCLUDING IN
THAILAND?
UK-THAI PRISONER REPATRIATION
POINTS TO MAKE
24.
HOPE NEGOTIATIONS CAN BE CONCLUDED SOON.
25. (DEFENSIVE) WE ARE URGENTLY CONSULTING THE HONG KONG AUTHORITIES WITH A VIEW TO EXTENDING THE AGREEMENT TO INCLUDE
HONG KONG.
BACKGROUND
26. SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS MADE AT NEGOTIATIONS IN BANGKOK IN
SEPTEMBER. HOWEVER, IT IS CLEAR THAT THE THAIS WOULD ONLY RATIFY IF THEY WERE ASSURED THAT THE AGREEMENT WOULD BE EXTENDED TO HONG KONG (WHERE THERE ARE MANY MORE THAI PRISONERS THAN IN THE UK). HONG KONG HAVE RAISED A NUMBER OF POINTS CONCERNING REPATRIATION
PROCEDURE WHICH WHEN RESOLVED WILL BE PUT TO EXCO. DEPENDING ON
THE LATTER'S DECISION WE MAY NEED TO CONSULT THE CHINESE.
AIR SERVICES
POINTS TO MAKE
27. PLEASED THAT THE THAI AUTHORITIES HAVE AGREED TO TEMPORARY
OPERATING PERMIT TO DRAGON AIR TO ENABLE THEM TO COMMENCE
SERVICES FROM HONG KONG TO THAI REGIONAL POINTS, AND HAVE CONSENTED TO DISCUSS IN MORE DETAIL THE SUBJECT OF UK-THAI
SEPARATION EARLY NEXT YEAR.
BACKGROUND
28. DTP AND THAT AERONAUTICAL AUTHORITIES MET 24-25 NOVEMBER IN BANGKOK AND REACHED TEMPORARY AGREEMENT TO MARCH 1987. HAD BEEN SOME DELAY IN ARRANGING MUTUALLY AGREEABLE DATE FOR NEGOTIATIONS
BUT IN THE EVENT 1 AND A HALF DAYS TALKS SUFFICED TO REACH AGREEMENT (SUBJECT TO DRAGON AIR AND THAI INTERNATIONAL REACHING A
COMMERCIAL AGREEMENT).
FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS WILL TAKE PLACE IN
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CONFIDENTIAL