Reg
15
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CABINET MEETING, 26 OCTOBER
ר
27,
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE
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BRIEF FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE
POINTS TO MAKE
The CHOGM issued a helpful statement on boat people calling, as a matter of priority for a programme for the return to Vietnam of all
non-refugees.
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The Steering Committee meeting in Geneva (16/17 October) made no
progress on repatriation. The Americans refused even to discuss alternatives to voluntary repatriation or a time frame for their
introduction. The meeting will resume in late November or early
December to tackle this one issue.
Although Ministers agreed that the return of the first batch of
non-volunteers should follow SC3 but precede TRH the Prince and
Princess of Wales' visit to Hong Kong, the practical risks and
difficulties of going ahead during that period proved
insurmountable.
We are therefore considering a fresh date. Apart from the visit
of TRH the Prince and Princess of Wales that of the Prime Minister
to the US (24/25 November) is also relevant.
We are also considering how best to prepare the ground with our
allies in this field, Australia, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan.
RW3 AFM