CONFIDENTIAL
THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
OD (K) (89) (4)
SEPTEMBER 1989
CABINET
DEFENCE AND OVERSEAS POLICY COMMITTEE
SUBCOMMITTEE ON HONG KONG
THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE
MEMORANDUM BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN
AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS
BACKGROUND
1.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS PAPER IS TO REPORT ON THE
SITUATION IN HONG KONG, TO REVIEW PROGRESS TOWARDS A PROGRAMME OF MANDRISBY KETARRINION FOR MOE SCREENED OUT HS NON REFUGEES, ANO
On 29 June, OD (K) considered a Memorandum (OD (K) (89)3) on the outcome of the International Conference on Indochinese Refugees (ICIR) in Geneva on 13/14 June and the follow-up action.
[2.
attitude
OD (K) agreed that the United States attitude towards
repatriation was difficult to defend. The ICR had not met the British requirement for the compulsory repatriation to Vietnam of non-refugees. It was right to allow a trial period for the policy of returning non-refugees who would not resist repatriation to Vietnam even if they did not actively volunteer to see whether t would produce results. But if it did not, OD's decision of 8/June to terminate the policy of first asylum as far as Hong Kong was concerned should not be reversed. OD (K) agreed to keep the position
under review.
3.
This paper describes events since OD (K)'s last meeting and considers what action should now be taken to achieve British
objectives.
TO CONSIDER OUR STRHIZO/ FOR THE REVILU CONFERENCE amed To Be H221) Or 16/17
остовск
CONFIDENTIAL