Mr Burns, News Dept
HKB 24319
Vietnamese Boat People
The Secretary of State has seen a copy of your minute to the PUS of 6 October. The Secretary of State does not believe that it will be possible to handle repatriations in low key. He thinks we should repeat the kind of briefing he gave to the Wall Street Journal wherever we can. The timing of the briefings wil have to be judged in the light of the strategy note the Secretary of State has asked for about briefing for SC3 and the action timetable following OD(K). But the Secretary of State thinks that briefing may need to take place while he is at CHOGM. He would be grateful if you could discuss a detailed strategy with Mr Maude, including briefing of specified journalists and leader writers.
9 October 1989
CC:
PS/Mr Maude
PS/Lord Brabazon PS/PUS
Head SEAD
Head HKD
Mr Gillmore
Mr McLaren
(J S Wall)
Rylla
Miss Melroden
Mielio
Mr Mogfis
Mr Stme plio Mr Hassen 134/10
Wisho
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