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12.07.88
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HKD 243/S
046506 MDLOAN 5770
SEC.
12 JUL 1988
17:15 HRS
INL.
PA
ONY
DIFFUSION RESTREINTE
OBJET: VIETNAM AND THE INDO-CHINESE REFUGEE PROBLEM
A
1. AT THE MEETING OF THE ASIA WORKING GROUP ON 6 JULY, THERE WAS A EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON THE PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THE INCREASING FLOW OF BOAT PEOPLE FROM VIETNAM. THE GROUP AGREED THAT IT WAS
VIETNAM'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THE RETURN OF THOSE REFUGEES
NOT MEETING THE CRITERIA OF POLITICAL REFUGEES. IT WAS AGREED IN
PRINCIPLE THAT THERE SHOULD BE A DEMARCHE BY THE TWELVE IN HANOI.
THE UK WAS INVITED TO CIRCULATE ITS PROPOSALS ON SUBSTANCE AND
TIMING, IN THE LIGHT OF THE AWG DISCUSSION.
2.
THE UK REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED THE AWG THAT THE BRITISH
CHARGE D'AFFAIRES IN HANOI HAD BEEN TOLD THAT THE VIETNAMESE
COUNCIL OF MINISTERS HAD DECIDED TO SEEK SOME KIND OF SOLUTION TO
THE BOAT PEOPLE PROBLEM. THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT HAVE INVITED
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO SEN A TEAM TO HANOI TO DISCUSS THE
PROBLEM AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT SIMILAR INVITATIONS HAVE BEEN EXTENDED TO THAILAND, MALAYSIA AND UNHCR. THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY ARE PREPARED TO DISCUSS THE RETURN OF NON-REFUGEES, POSSIBLY ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS. THEY HAVE ALSO INDICATED THAT THEY WILL WISH TO DISCUSS THE QUESTION OF ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE. THIS INITIATIVE IS A WELCOME DEVELOPMENT, ALTHOUGH IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN. WHETHER THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT
WILL BE PREPARED TO ENTER INTO SERIOUS DISCUSSION AND WHAT PRICE THEY WILL DEMAND FOR THEIR COOPERATION. WE HAVE TAKEN UP THE VIETNAMESE INVITATION, AND EXPECT PRELIMINARY TALKS TO TAKE PLACE SHORTLY.
3.
IN THE VIEW OF THE UK, THIS LATEST DEVELOPMENT DOES NOT DIMINISH THE DESIRABILITY OF A DEMARCHE BY THE TWELVE. ON THE CONTRARY, IT REINFORCES OUR CONVICTION THAT ACTION IN HANOI IN THE NAME OF THE TWELVE SHOULD TAKE PLACE AT THE EARLIEST
OPPORTUNITY SO AS TO UNDERLINE OUR CONCERN TO ENSURE THAT THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT APPROACH TO THE TALKS IS BOTH SERIOUS AND URGENT.
·
4. THE PROPOSED TEXT OF THE JOINT DEMARCHE IS AS FOLLOWS:
BEGINS.
THE TWELVE WISH TO EXPRESS THEIR CONCERN AT ILLEGAL DEPARTURES BY
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