no
We proposed that the press statement should contain a The reference to assurances of no reprisals against returnees. Vietnamese resisted this, arguing that for legal
legal reasons they could not make a public reference to the non-punishment of return of returnees,
returnees, although in practice there would be reprisals. In the end, agreement was reached on a reference to UNHCR being invited to participate in the implementation of the agreement on the basis that the arrangements should be carried out in a humanitarian way.
Press Statement
28
B
This
was issued at a joint
press conferance on 12 October 1988 in London.. The text is at Annex B.
Conclusion
at 5 pm
29
Useful progress was made. The agreed language of the joint press statement protects a main element of Hong Kong's policy by its clear reference to the need for comprehensive arrangements for all arrivals after 15 June 1988 who do not qualify for resettlement. The agreement reached also meets our immediate requirement for early return of as many volunteers as
Although the Vietnamese have not possible.
yet agreed
to
for the return of all those screened out the arrangements formula in the statement is a considerable advance on their previous position. We shall have to keep
to keep up the pressure on them in this area. But they did give hints that they realised that, gradully, they would have to tackle the overall problem. Meanwhile, it makes sense, in our interests as well as those of the Vietnamese, to start with the volunteers and to try to encourage as many boat people as possible to join that category.
30
their
It was also clear that we could not have reached any agreement without a commitment by the British side on financial assistance, at least in principle. The Vietnamese confirmed
that this should be organised by and acceptance channelled through UNHCR. They made clear that they realised that the assistance would be on the lines of established UNHCR
for
and targetted
limited arrangements assistance. They did not ask for project aid.
a
visit
reintegration
31
On the details of return, an unresolved point was the Vietnamese
for request strong
their "technical by personnel" to Hong Kong. While we have reserved our position on this and spelled out the problems which a visit could cause, we believe that a a visit within carefully defined limits would probably be worth conceding in order to get things moving, as the Vietnamese have accepted the need for a very low profile. We would of course
to keep watchful
Chinese reactions, and on any attempt by the Vietnamese to establish a permanent presence.
need
a
eye on
CONFIDENTIAL