CONFIDENTIAL
numbers of Vietnamese arriving in Thailand in past few months.
C.G. stressed need for continued resettlement.
Thais have bilaterals with Laos and Vietnam over refugees
ii)
Indonesia
welcome Hong Kong initiative. Indonesia only on temporary basis.
First asylum granted in
Indonesia has pressed Vietnam to stop illegal departures encouraging response.
no
"refugee problem should be tackled at source". C.G. personally
supported repatriation of economic migrants.
Guarded support for Hong Kong tour.
iii) Singapore
Unable to act as place of first asylum only accepts ship
rescue cases.
Would not support policy of screening and repatriation of new arrivals if Singapore would have to accept more.
"Personally sympathetic" to Hong Kong Government approach. Singapore would give moral support to screening and repatriation.
iv) Malaysia
T
I
F
v)
Overall refugee situation in Malaysia not very serious.
Approach to Hanoi would not be productive at present.
Non-committal on Hong Kong tour.
Philippines
Welcome Hong Kong approach.
Philippines with large numbers of Vietnamese refugees.
Will go back to Manila for Philippine Government reaction.
CONFIDENTIAL