CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO DESKBY 31003OZ HONG KONG
TELNO 1140
OF 30165OZ MAY 89
CONFIDENTIAL
AMENDED DISTRIBUTION 31/5
142372 MDHOAN 2193
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM MCLAREN, AUSS
YOUR TELNOS 1749 AND 1750 : VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE
1.
I HAVE DRAWN YOUR TURS TO THE ATTENTION OF PRIVATE OFFICES AND HAVE DISCUSSED THEM WITH LORD GLENARTHUR.
2.
THE LATEST FIGURES ARE APPALLING. I CAN WELL SEE THAT WITHOUT SOME RELIEF, OR AT LEAST THE EARLY PROSPECT OF IT, IT MAY BE VERY DIFFICULT TO SUSTAIN THE PRESENT POLICY UNTIL THE GENEVA CONFERENCE, LET ALONE BEYOND IT.
3. IT IS, HOWEVER, HARD TO THINK OF ANY PRACTICABLE (AND DEFENSIBLE) OPTION WHICH WOULD HAVE AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT ON ARRIVALS. WE HAD SOUGHT TO STEM THE OUTFLOW BY PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE VIETNAMESE AND TO REDUCE. THE NUMBERS REACHING HONG KONG BY APPEALING TO THE CHINESE. IF ANY ACTION HAS RESULTED IT HAS SO FAR HAD NO EFFECT. QIAN QICHEN'S REPLY TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S MESSAGE BLAMES THE VIETNAMESE AND THE BRITISH FOR THE PRESENT SITUATION AND REJECTS THE SUGGESTION THAT CHINA SHOULD ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR COAST HOPPERS AND OTHERS WHO PASS THROUGH CHINA ON THEIR WAY TO HONG KONG. WE CAN RETURN TO THE CHARGE, INDEED I AM SURE WE SHOULD, BUT THE CHANCES OF PERSUADING THE CHINESE TO AGREE, EG, TO A SOUTH CHINA HOLDING CENTRE, DO NOT SEEM TO ME TO BE GOOD. WE MUST ALSO RECOGNISE THAT IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO GET ANY FORM OF REGIONAL HOLDING CENTRE UP AND RUNNING IN TWO OR THREE WEEKS, EVEN IF A HOST COUNTRY WILLING TO TAKE ON THE BURDEN CAN BE FOUND. WE WILL HOWEVER CONTINUE TO PURSUE THE IDEA.
4.
I CAN SEE THE ATTRACTION OF A HOLDING CENTRE IN THE UK FOR REFUGEES. I WILL DO MY BEST TO SEE THAT IT IS EXAMINED SERIOUSLY BUT I VERY MUCH DOUBT WHETHER IT WILL PROVE TO BE A STARTER IN UK POLITICAL TERMS. NOR IS IT EASY TO SEE HOW A SUBSTANTIVE RESPONSE TO EXCO'S APPEAL (ADDITIONAL UK FUNDING IS THE ONLY OTHER IMMEDIATELY HELPFUL ELEMENT WHICH COMES TO MIND) COULD BE GIVEN IN ADVANCE OF THE OD MEETING SCHEDULED FOR 8 JUNE. WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO HOLD THE POSITION AT THE EXCO MEETING ON 6 JUNE BY SAYING THAT
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