SECRET
FM HONG KONG.
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELNO 2218
OF 08093OZ JUNE 88
HUD 243/8
нед
SECRET
TOP COPY Q DIS
114371
MDLIAN 3508
MY THIRD IPT: OPERATION WATCHMAN: SPEAKING NOTES
1. C: VIETNAM (ACTION DATE 13 JUNE). YOU WILL WISH TO DRAFT
THIS SPEAKING NOTE IN THE LIGHT OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S
MEETING WITH NGUYEN CO THACH TODAY AND ADD A PASSAGE ON ORDERLY
DEPARTURE. BUT IT MIGHT COVER THE FOLLOWING POINTS.
2.(I) INTRODUCTORY POINTS:
(A) INCREASING FLOW OF ILLEGAL DEPARTURES FROM VIETNAM CREATING
AN INTOLERABLE BURDEN FOR HONG KONG.
(B) 99 PER CENT OF RECENT ARRIVALS ARE ORDINARY VIETNAMESE
SEEKING A BETTER LIFE. THE WELL-BEING OF SUCH PEOPLE SHOULD BE
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT.
(C) ONLY LONG-TERM SOLUTION IS REPATRIATION OF ALL THOSE LEAVING
VIETNAM ILLEGALLY AS DONE FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM OTHER
COUNTRIES.
(II) NEW POLICY:
(A) AS FROM 16 JUNE HONG KONG WILL ADOPT A NEW POLICY. BOAT PEOPLE
ARRIVING FROM VIETNAM WILL BE TREATED ON ARRIVAL AS ILLEGAL
IMMIGRANTS. ALL EXCEPT THOSE LATER IDENTIFIED AS GENUINE REFUGEES
WILL BE DETAINED WITHOUT ACCESS TO RESETTLEMENT PENDING
ARRANGEMENTS FOR THEIR REPATRIATION TO VIETNAM.
(III) REQUESTS:
(A) EFFORTS TO STEM THE FLOW OF UNCONTROLLED DEPARTURES WITH ALL
THE RISKS TO LIFE AND UNCERTAIN FUTURE THEY INVOLVE.
(B) CO-OPERATION WITH ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE REPATRIATION OF
NON-REFUGEES UNDER ACCEPTABLE CONDITIONS.
(C) CO-OPERATION IN PUBLICISING CHANGE OF POLICY IN VIETNAM.
3. YOU WILL WISH TO CONSIDER ALSO, IN THE LIGHT OF THE SECRETARY