HKB
CONFIDENTIAL
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MDHOAN 5123
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 1524
OF 171915Z JULY 89
AND TO IMMEDIATE HANOI, WASHINGTON, UKMIS GENEVA
FROM HEAD OF NEWS DEPARTMENT
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106
YOUR TELNOS 2372-5
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE REPATRIATION: PRESS HANDLING
1.
HELLA PICK (GUARDIAN) TODAY FOLLOWED UP WITH US HER ARTICLE LAST WEEK PREDICTING THE REPATRIATION OF VBPS. SHE PUT IT TO US THAT REPATRIATION WAS DUE TO TAKE PLACE ON WEDNESDAY, THAT THE ONLY HOLD-UP WAS OUR NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE VIETNAMESE OVER MONEY, IE. THE AMOUNT OF RE-INTEGRATION ASSISTANCE AND THAT WE WERE CONCERNED LEST THE AMERICANS AND UNHCR SHOULD JOINTLY DENOUNCE US. IN A SUBSEQUENT CONVERSATION SHE ASKED WHETHER IT WAS TRUE THAT, ON CONDITION THAT THOSE WHO REFUSED TO BE REPATRIATED WOULD NOT BE FORCED ONTO ANY AIRCRAFT, THE UNHCR HAVE AGREED TO MONITOR TREATMENT OF THE BOAT PEOPLE IN VIETNAM.
2.
WE TOOK THE LINE THAT DISCUSSIONS WITH THE VIETNAMESE ABOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE RETURN OF NON-REFUGEES WERE CONTINUING. WE COULD NOT SAY WHEN THESE WOULD CONCLUDE, OR WHAT THEIR OUTCOME WOULD BE. THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF USING FORCE. WE COULD NOT COMMENT ON THE ROLE OF THE UNHCR, OR GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. IT IS DISTURBING THAT PICK SHOULD HAVE GOT HOLD OF SO MUCH DETAIL. HER INTEREST, WHICH IS UNLIKELY TO FADE, WILL MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO KEEP ARRANGEMENTS UNDER WRAPS. WE CAN EXPECT A PIECE IN TOMORROW'S GUARDIAN, WHICH MAY WELL FOCUS ON THE RESISTANCE FROM THE AMERICANS AND THE UNHCR TO NON-VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION.
3.
4. IN FENDING OFF FURTHER QUESTIONS WE WILL DRAW ATTENTION TO WHAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS ALREADY SAID ON THE SUBJECT, NOTABLY IN GENEVA IN JUNE, DURING HIS VISIT TO HONG KONG, AND IN HIS STATEMENT TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON HIS RETURN. NONETHELESS, THE INCREASING IMPRESSIONS OF SECRECY ON THE GOVERNMENT'S PART WILL FUEL SUSPICIONS IN THE UK THAT WE HAVE SOMETHING TO HIDE. TO RESPOND WE NEED:
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CONFIDENTIAL