SECRET
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
OF 06112OZ NOVEMBER 89
TELNO 2236
AND TO IMMEDIATE HANOI
SECRET
HKB
24319
TOP COPY
DIST ?
(361)
150160
MDHOAN 6980
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM PAUL, HKD
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: REPATRIATION
1.
AFTER CAREFULLY WEIGHING UP THE CASE FOR PROCEEDING AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, MINISTERS HAVE DECIDED THAT THE FIRST NON VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION OPERATION SHOULD NOT TAKE PLACE BEFORE THE PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO WASHINGTON ON 24 NOVEMBER BUT THAT WE SHOULD BE READY TO PROCEED FAIRLY SOON THEREAFTER. THIS WOULD ENABLE THE PRIME MINISTER TO INFORM THE PRESIDENT IN PERSON OF OUR INTENTIONS AND TO EXPLAIN TO HIM ONCE AGAIN THE REASONS FOR THIS AND THE MEASURES WE WOULD BE TAKING TO ENSURE THAT THOSE RETURNED WOULD BE REASONABLY TREATED.
2. MINISTERS HAVE NOT YET TAKEN A FINAL VIEW ON WHETHER REPATRIATION SHOULD PROCEED BEFORE OR AFTER SC3. DELAY UNTIL AFTER SC3 MIGHT ENHANCE THE PROSPECTS OF SECURING THE COOPERATION OF UNHCR OVER MONITORING NOW THAT HOCKE HAS DEPARTED. BUT THERE WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT ADVANTAGES IN GOING AHEAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT.
GRATEFUL FOR YOUR VIEWS ON THE TIMING CONSIDERATIONS IN PARAGRAPH 2 ABOVE.
3
HURD
YYYY
DISTRIBUTION
121
ΜΑΙΝ
113
.VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HK
RMD
LIMITED
PS
HKD
SEAD
UND
LEGAL ADVISERS
PUSD
ECD (E)
PS/MR MAUDE
PS/MR SAINSBURY
PS/LORD BRABAZON
PS/MRS CHALKER
PS/PUS
MR GILLMORE
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