BACKGROUND
CONFIDENTIAL
A
4. OD (K) on 4 October agreed that the return of the first batch of acquiescent non-volunteers should follow SC3 (16-17 October) but
precede TRH's visit to Hong Kong (7-11 November). A target date was
fixed for 31 October. But the Hong Kong Government were unable to
assemble a group of more than 14 acquiescents for the first flight.
(They were unable to increase the group at Phoenix House assembled
for repatriation without the risk of wider disturbances). Ministers
decided that it would not be worth proceeding with a flight of only
14. 31 October was therefore abandoned. A later date before the
visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales would have been
unacceptably close to TRH's visit.
5. The Prime Minister prefers to delay the first repatriation until
after her visit to Washington on 24 November. This will enable her
to inform President Bush of our intention to go ahead with
non-voluntary repatriation and explain the efforts we are making to ensure that those returnees will be properly treated.
Timing
6. We have given careful thought to the earliest and most opportune
dates after 24 November. The alternatives are:
(a) After the Prime Minister's visit to the United States but
before SC3 (resumed).
The Governor of Hong Kong recommends (HK telno 3703) a date early in
the week of 27 November. But there are attractions in a date
coinciding with the US/Soviet Summit (2/3 December) when media
attention will be diverted. Though a few days later than suggested by the Governor, this timing would not run counter to his arguments. There is nevertheless a risk that if things go wrong it will
adversely affect the outcome of SC3 (resumed).
(b) After SC3 (resumed) on 4/5 December
If we wait until after SC3 we could claim to have held our hand
CONFIDENTIAL