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156514 MDHI 3512
(E) AIRCRAFT AVAILABILITY COULD BECOME A PROBLEM AS WE APPROACH
THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. THE PR DIFFICULTIES WILL ALSO BE
INCREASED IF WE ATTEMPT TO MOUNT THIS OPERATION CLOSE TO THE
CHRISTMAS SEASON.
(F) FOR PRESENTATIONAL REASONS THE CHRISTMAS SEASON MUST BE
RULED OUT FOR STARTING REPATRIATION.
2. I RECOMMEND THAT WE AIM TO RETURN THE FIRST GROUP OF NON-
VOLUNTEERS EARLY IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 27 NOVEMBER. ON THIS
TIMETABLE IT IS IMPORTANT THAT HANOI BE AUTHORISED TO CONCLUDE
THE AGREEMENT WITH THE VIETNAMESE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IN
FIRST TUR HANOI INDICATED THAT WE MIGHT ENCOUNTER NEW DIFFICULTIES WITH THE VIETNAMESE. THE SOONER WE IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS THESE DIFFICULTIES THE BETTER.
3. ON UNHCR MONITORING, I AGREE THAT HOCKE'S DEPARTURE MAY CONCEIVABLY MAKE OUR TASK EASIER. HOWEVER, I SUSPECT THAT THE
NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER IS UNLIKELY TO LET HIMSELF BE DRAWN
INTO THIS UNTIL AFTER THE FIRST REPATRIATION EXERCISE HAS TAKEN PLACE, AND THEN ONLY IF IT HAS PASSED OFF WITHOUT MAJOR PROBLEMS. UKMIS GENEVA ARE BEST PLACED TO PROVIDE AN ASSESSMENT BUT I DOUBT WHETHER A DELAY BEYOND SC3 WILL SECURE SWIFT UNHCR CO- OPERATION ON MONITORING.
WILSON
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
113
DISTRIBUTION
120
.VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HK
LIMITED
HKD
SEAD
UND
LEGAL ADVISERS
PUSD
ECD (E)
FED
RMD
PS
PS/MR MAUDE
PS/MR SAINSBURY
PS/LORD BRABAZON
PS/MRS CHALKER
PS/PUS
MR GILLMORE
MR SLATER
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