CONFIDENTIAL
HKB
24319
[VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE : REPATRIATION : PUBLIC PRESENTATION]
1.
In general, I think it best that substantive interviews on this exceptionally sensitive topic be given by Ministers. But Mr Colvin and I will have to be prepared to speak to the press, and particularly to Hong Kong journalists in Geneva. It is difficult to forecast what the outcome of SC3 will be. It is, however, unlikely to be clear-cut. The Americans, and others, will seek to put their gloss on it, and I am sure that we should be ready to do the same. But, on the policy issues, we would stick to the arguments already used by Ministers and avoid getting onto dangerous new ground.
13 October 1989
Cc:
Mr Gillmore
RJT McLaren
321
Mr Paul, HKD
Mr Colvin, SEAD
Mr Burns, News Dept
Mixo Massin
Ry 17/10
in 19/10
paju 20/10
Mr Stry
magn
Mr
W10/0
MC2ACB
CONFIDENTIAL