SECRET
FM HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 13110OZ FCO
TELNO 1823
OF 13094OZ MAY 88
INFO IMMEDIATE UKMIS GENEVA
147
SECRET
TOP COPY.
012474 O DIS MDHIAN 9329
a
67,
них 2.4318
OUR TELNO 1759 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: OPERATION WATCHMAN
MIFT CONTAINS THE TEXT OF A DRAFT EXCOMEMORANDUM FOR DISCUSSION ON 23 OR 24 MAY. MY SECOND IFT SETS OUT THE TIMETABLE WE ENVISAGE
YOU WILL NOTE THAT WE NOW FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW POLICY.
PROPOSE TO SCREEN ALL BOAT PEOPLE ON ARRIVAL.
2. THE TIME-TABLE IS BASED ON SOME FAIRLY HEROIC ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE TIMING OF VARIOUS ACTIONS. THESE INCLUDE THE TIME NEEDED TO OBTAIN MINISTERS' APPROVAL FOR THE NEW POLICY. BUT WE CANNOT AFFORD DELAY, TIME IS AGAINST US A FURTHER 216 ARRIVED ON WEDNESDAY (11/5). ARRIVALS THIS MONTH NOW EXCEED 1,300.
-
3. GRATEFUL FOR ANY COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT EXCO PAPER, AND THE PROPOSED TIMETABLE BY 17010OZ.
WILSON
YYYY
DISTRIBUTION
52
ΜΑΙΝ
52
LIMITED
HKD
SEAD
UND
LEGAL ADVISERS
PS
PS/MRS CHALKER
PS/LORD GLENARTHUR PS/PUS
MR GILLMORE
MR MCLAREN
MR FIFOOT
NNNN
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