NABAAK (2)
CONFIDENTIAL
making clear publicly that they would be prepared to provide
home for Hong Kong people if worst came to worst;
supporting Hong Kong's participation in international economic organisations eg inclusion in November ministerial meeting of Asia/Pacific Economic Forum. Do not see why Chinese should
object to this: Hong Kong has full autonomy in conduct of its
external commercial relations.
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE
Situation in Hong Kong worsened considerably since our meeting in
July. Over 56,000 in camps, 32,000 arrivals this year, of which
4,000 in August.
Problem reaching crisis point: rioting in camps, protests by
local residents, outbreaks of cholera.
Voluntary repatriation programme has been given reasonable period
of time to produce results. But only 264 have returned.
Time has run out for Hong Kong. Barring dramatic improvement in
results of voluntary programme, see no alternative but to move to
mandatory repatriation
Understand US sensitivites. Prepared to try and wait until SC3,
provided other governments represented at SC3 willing to accept that
Hong Kong constitutes a special case and has no choice but to
implement mandatory repatriation.
Willing to argue at SC3 that other first asylum countries should
give voluntary programme a chance before following Hong Kong's
precedent.
- No question of repatriating boat people without assurances of humane treatment/no punishment on return. Vietnamese have given
commitment on this.
CONFIDENTIAL