Mr Colvin
PS/Mr Maude
HKB
243 19
SECRET
FROM: C C D Haswell
Hong Kong Department
DATE: 4 December 1989
4+7
File.
cc: Mr Gillmore
Mr McLaren
Mr Paul, HKD
Mr Brenton, UND
Mr Burns, News Department
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: REPATRIATION
1. Mr Maude asked about a number of points relating to the
repatriation of Vietnamese Boat People at this morning's meeting.
Obligation to inform Vietnamese of total number on aircraft
2.
I discussed this with Mike Hanson, Refugee Coordinator, in Hong
Kong. He agreed that it was his understanding that our obligations to the Vietnamese only required us to inform them of the details of
those being repatriated. It would not be necessary to reveal the numbers of police involved. But he also agreed that we needed to check this with Hanoi: I am sending a telegram seeking a reply to
reach us first thing tomorrow.
Assessment of likelihood that people will resist repatriation
3. Mr Hanson told me that the leading hunger striker had been removed from Phoenix House to hospital. Without his presence, the remainder had begun to take food and the mood had become more
compliant. Mr Hanson said he would send us a full assessment of the likelihood of resistance by telegram tomorrow.
PTAAOQ
SECRET