RM11x1
Miss Maroden Mr Stone 2411
Mr Hasyon 6/11
ра
34/10
FROM:
D H Colvin
356
HKB
243 19
South-East Asia Dept
DATE:
24 October 1989
CC:
PS/Mrs Chalker
PS/Lord Brabazon PS/PUS
Mr Gillmore
Mr Paul, HKD
Mr Burns, News Dept Mr Manning, ODA
Α
B
Mr McLaren
PS/Mr Maude
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: REPATRIATION
Problem
1 When to start repatriating boat people from Hong Kong who are not volunteers? And how to prepare the ground?
Recommendation
2 I recommend that:
a) we start immediately after the Prime Minister's visit to the United States from 23-24 November and the resumed session of SC3. This means a target date of either 27 November or 7 December;
b) we prepare the ground in advance with like-minded countries (Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and possibly Japan) and make clear to the Americans that the failure of SC3 (resumed) could mean the collapse of the CPA.
Background
3
Ministers agreed at OD (K) on 4 October that the return of the first batch of acquiescent non-volunteers should follow SC3 (16-17 October) but precede TRH's visit to Hong Kong (7-11 November). A target date was fixed for 31 October. Our hope was that SC3 would clear the path for non-voluntary return in accordance with the terms of the CPA. But there was no progress on repatriation, mainly due to American intransigence, although SC3 agreed to meet again on 23/24 November or 4/5 December. The dates have not yet been settled but are likely to be the latter.
CA4ANT
CONFIDENTIAL