RESTRICTED
FM HONG KONG
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELNO 2314
OF 17020OZ JUNE 88
137
RESTRICTED
TOP COPY
Q DIST ?
HRB 02711
145034 MDLIAN 5907
1: JUN 1988
MIPT: LORD GLENARTHUR'S VISIT TO HONG KONG AREAS OF INTEREST TO
THE MEDIA
A. VIETNAMES REFUGEES
(1) DOUBTS ON WHETHER SCREENING SYSTEM FOR VRS WILL HAVE DETERRENT
EFFECT/WHAT NEXT IF NEW POLICY DOES NOT WORK?
·
(2) IF SCREENING POLICY DOES NOT WORK WILL UK HELP HK END ITS OBLIGATION AS PORT OF FIRST ASYLUM?/WILL HMG LET HK DECIDE ITW OWN
VR POLICY?
(3) PROGRESS ON NEGOTIATIONS ABOUT REPATRIATION OF VRS./ANY NEW
INITIATIVES FUR DURABLE SOLTION?/WILL BRITAIN PRESS FOR
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE TO SOLVE PROBLEM?
(4) HAVE YOU RAISED VR ISSUE WITH THAI AND CHINESE OFFICIALS DURING
VISITS TO THESE TWO COUNTRIES?
(5) DETAILS OF SIR GEOFFREY'S RECENT DISCUSSIONS IN NEW YORK WITH
SOVIET, CHINESE AND VIETNAMESE FOREIGN MINISTERS ON VRS.
(6) INCREASED INTAKE BY UK?/BRITAIN /UNHCR TO SHARE HK'S FINANCIAL
BURDEN?
(7) REACTIONS OF OTHER COUNTRIES/UNHCR/REFUGEE AGENCIES?
B. SINO/BRITISH/HK RELATIONS
(1) SUSPICTION THAT WHITEHALL IS PUTTING ITS INTERESTS AND ITS
RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA BEFORE INTERESTS OF HK.
(2) WHAT ASSURANCE CAN HMG GIVE HK PEOPLE THAT SMOOTH TRANSITION
CAN BE ACHIEVED?/WHAT WILL HMG DO TO MAINTAIN PEOLE'S
CONFIDENCE IN THE TERRITORY?
(3) ANY SIGNIFICANCE IN INCREASE IN NUMBER OF CHINESE DELEGATIONS
WIVITING UK AND HK?/WILL MORE HKG OFFICIALS VISIT CHINA?/YOUR
1
PAGE
RESTRICTED