D/Sec (0) (C) 6/7

6 October 1989

MA/Minister(AF)

CONFIDENTIAL

1/19/10

copy to: APS/Secretary of State

PS/US of S(AF)

DPSO/CDS

PS/PUS

MA/CGS

MA/DCDS (C)

ACDS (0)

HKB 04014

AUS (C)

DROW

DPO

FCO (HKD)

FCO (SEAD)

-

Mr Haswell

Miss Harper

HONG KONG: WEEKLY UPDATE

1. This fourth weekly report covers the period 29 September to 5 October.

Vietnamese Boat People Status

2. As at 5 October, there were 57064 VBP in Hong Kong. Arrivals in October so far amount to 44, all yesterday. There is as yet no change in the prevailing wind which, when it happens, will tend to reduce the rate of arrivals still further. However I understand that there is a slight risk of a typhoon hitting Hong Kong over the weekend, in which case the tented camps will have to be evacuated. This has happened before and was handled reasonably smoothly by the Hong Kong civil authorities, with some assistance from the garrison.

3. In my second report, I mentioned the progress being made in processing another group of voluntary returnees. The original plan was for about 200 to be flown to Vietnam in two flights in the middle of this month. It now transpires that apparently for practical reasons at the Vietnamese end, it will only be possible for one flight to depart in mid-October, with the other not taking place before the end of the month.

Security Incidents

4. There are no significant security incidents to report this week.

Other

5. The postponed Joint Liaison Group meeting took place at the end of last week. As expected, no normal JLG business was conducted. In effect the meeting was an opportunity for both

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