Classification
SECRET
OUT
TELEGRAM
ZCZC
1
ZC ZC
TC
2 SECRET
CAVEAT
3
FM
4 FM FCO
TO
5 TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO
6 TELNO
OF
7 OF 07162OZ NOVEMBER 89
AND TO
8 AND TO IMMEDIATE HANOI
YYYY
Caveat
Precedence
IMMEDIATE
9
10 PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM PAUL, HKD
11
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: REPATRIATION
12 1. After carefully weighing up the case for proceeding as
13 quickly as possible, Ministers have decided that the first non
14 voluntary repatriation operation should not take place before the
15 Prime Minister's visit to Washington on 24 November but that we 16 should be ready to proceed fairly soon thereafter. This would
17 enable the Prime Minister to inform the President in person of
18 our intentions and to explain to him once again the reasons for 19 this and the measures we would be taking to ensure that those
20 returned would be reasonably treated.
reasonably treated.
Final
21 2. Ministers have not taken alview on whether repatriation 22 should proceed before or after SC3. Delay until after SC3 might 23 enhance the prospects of securing the cooperation of UNHCR over
HOCKE
25 3.
24 monitoring now that has departed. But there would be significant
advantages in going ahead as soon as possible after the Prime Unisters visit.
Grateful for your views on the timing considerations in
26 paragraph 2 above.
1/1
//
27
28 HURD
29
Catchword:
Dept
HK D
Drafted by (Block capitals)
AR Paul
Telephone no
270 2647
Initials
Date/time!
VE
6/11
MAIN
ADDITIONAL
NNNN
File number
SAMACN
Authorised for
despatch by:
For COD use only
Comcen reference
Bas 272033/ 150m 10/88P
Telegram number
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