SECRET
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 3703
OF 080611Z NOVEMBER 89
INFO IMMEDIATE HANOI
SECRET
156514
MDHIAN 3512
PERSONAL FOR PAUL, HKD, FROM GOVERNOR
HANOI TELNO 579 AND YOUR TELNO 2236: VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: REPATRIATION
I AGREE THAT THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT ADVANTAGES IN PRESSING AHEAD TH THE FIRST REPATRIATION EXERCISE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT. SEEN FROM HERE, THESE ADVANTAGES ARE:
(A) THE SOONER THE REPATRIATION PROGRAMME IS ESTABLISHED
THE SOONER WE CAN BEGIN TO GET ACROSS THE DETERRENT MESSAGE TO POTENTIAL VBP. I AM CONCERNED THAT ANY FURTHER DELAY WILL
REDUCE OUR CHANCES OF HEADING OFF A MAJOR INFLUX NEXT SPRING.
(B) FINANCE COMMITTEE HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY SEE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE REPATRIATION PROGRAMME AS A PRE-REQUISITE FOR THE PROVISION OF FUNDS TO COVER THE COST OF BUILDING
CONTINGENCY ACCOMMODATION. OUR MAIN ACCOMMODATION PROJECT FOR 1990 WILL TAKE AT LEAST 7-8 MONTHS TO COMPLETE AND WE ARE THEREFORE ALREADY BEHIND SCHEDULE. IF WE ARE TO HAVE THIS NEW ACCOMMODATION BEFORE THE END OF THE PEAK SUMMER PERIOD IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE MAKE A START SOON.
LEGCO ARE DUE TO DEBATE A MOTION ON VBP POLICY ON 29
NOVEMBER. THE DEBATE IS LIKELY TO FOCUS ON THE URGENT NEED TO MAKE A START WITH MANDATORY REPATRIATION. IF WE ARE TO HEAD OFF FURTHER CALLS FOR A POLICY REVIEW, WE NEED TO BE IN A POSITION TO SAY SOMETHING POSITIVE AND RE-ASSURING ON THE FULL
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CPA.
IN
(D) TENSION IN THE CAMPS WILL RISE AGAIN DURING AND IMMEDIATELY
AFTER THE SC3 MEETING AS IT DID DURING THE PREVIOUS MEETING
OCTOBER. THERE WILL BE A GENERAL EXPECTATION IN THE CAMPS THAT THE FIRST NON-VOLUNTEERS WILL BE RETURNED AFTER SC3. I
WOULD PREFER TO AVOID HAVING TO MOUNT THE FIRST REPATRIATION OPERATION AT A TIME OF HEIGHTENED TENSION.
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