CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 3710
OF 050945Z OCTOBER 88
INFO IMMEDIATE HANOI, BANGKOK
CONFIDENTIAL
нко 24
- 50CT
165672 MDHIAN 6406
BANGKOK PLEASE PASS TO HMA HANOI
MY 2ND IPT: OUR EFFORTS TO STOP OUTFLOW : DRAFT SPEAKING NOTE
SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW POLICY ON 16 JUNE, WE HAVE MADE EXTENSIVE USE OF RADIO TRANSMISSIONS IN THE REGION SUCH AS THE BBC'S EXTERNAL SERVICE, VOICE OF AMERICA AND RADIO AUSTRALIA ETC, TO CONVEY THE IMPORT OF THE NEW POLICY TO PEOPLE IN VIETNAM.
2. WE UNDERSTAND FROM RECENT ARRIVALS THAT MANY HAVE HEARD OF OUR
NEW POLICY THROUGH THE RADIO.
3.
WITH EFFECT FROM 1 OCTOBER, RADIO HONG KONG COMMENCED BROAD- CASTING MESSAGES (IN VIETNAMESE) STATING HONG KONG'S POLICY ON BOAT PEOPLE AND EXPLAINING WHY THERE IS NO POINT IN GOING TO HONG KONG NEWS ITEMS CONCERNING BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE BROADCASTS. WE HAVE A RECORDING OF THE MESSAGES AND WILL HAND
OVER THE TAPE AFTER MEETING.
4. LEAFLETS ANNOUNCING OUR NEW POLICY ARE ALSO INSERTED IN ALL
LETTERS FROM THE BOAT PEOPLE TO VIETNAM.
5. THE FOLLOWING MIGHT ALSO BE USED IF NECESSARY: WE REGRET THAT WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM RECENT ARRIVALS REGARDING EFFORTS MADE IN VIETNAM TO STOP DEPARTURES. HOPE THAT THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT IS UNDERTAKING A MAJOR PROGRAMME TO DISCOURAGE AND PREVENT ILLEGAL DEPARTURES. WOULD LIKE TO HEAR DETAILS OF SUCH
A PROGRAMME.
WILSON
YYYY