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5. ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT WE ARE ABLE TO TIE UP THE LOOSE ENDS WITH CATHAY PACIFIC, WE SEE THE TIMETABLE AS FOLLOWS:
(A) 31 OCTOBER. WE HAVE PLANNED AN OPERATION TO MOVE 47 NON-VOLUNT-
EERS FROM CHI MA WAN TO PHOENIX HOUSE.
(B) 3 NOVEMBER. CONCLUSION OF THE AGREEMENT WITH THE VIETNAMESE.
NOTIFICATION OF FLIGHT DETAILS AND PASSENGER LIST.
(C) 17 NOVEMBER. FIRST GROUP OF 40-50 NON-VOLUNTEERS RETURN TO HANOI.
6. THE OPERATION AT (A) HAS BEEN WELL PLANNED BY THE POLICE AND CSD.
THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF OTHER MOVES TAKING PLACE THAT DAY WHICH WILL PROVIDE US WITH SOME COVER BUT, AS BEFORE, THERE IS STILL A POSSIBILITY OF RESISTENCE AND SYMPATHETIC DEMONSTRATIONS FROM OTHERS IN THE CAMPS. ONCE THE 47 HAVE BEEN TRANSPORTED TO PHOENIX HOUSE WE
SHALL HAVE A COMBINED GROUP OF 61 NON-VOLUNTEERS. SOME MAY VOLUNTEER FOR REPATRIATION: BUT WE ARE REASONABLY CONFIDENT THAT WE SHALL BE ABLE TO MOUNT A REPATRIATION OPERATION FOR 40-50 PEOPLE ON 17
NOVEMBER.
THIS
7. MINISTERS MIGHT PREFER THE 24 RATHER THAN 17 NOVEMBER OPTION.
WILL PRESENT NO DIFFICULTIES HERE BUT WE SHOULD NONETHELESS LIKE TO
PRESS AHEAD WITH THE CHI MA WAN/PHOENIX HOUSE OPERATION ON 31 OCTOBER.
8. IN OUR DISCUSSIONS WITH CATHAY PACIFIC WE HAVE BEEN TALKING IN TERMS OF UP TO SIX FLIGHTS OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. THIS SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO ESTABLISH THE PROGRAMME. FOR THE LONGER TERM, WE ARE LOOKING AT A NUMBER OF SHIPS WHICH ARE AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE PURCH-
ASE AND WHICH ARE SUITABLE FOR OUR PURPOSE. WE ARE AIMING TO COMPLETE
THIS ASSESSMENT WORK BY MID NOVEMBER WITH A VIEW TO MAKING A
DECISION ON THIS OPTION BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
WILSON
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