CONFIDENTIAL
412
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 2712OOZ FCO
TELNO 3908
OF 271045Z NOVEMBER 89
HKB
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INFO IMMEDIATE HANOI, UKMIS GENEVA, WASHINGTON
398
MY TELNO 3876: VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: REPATRIATION
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037676
MDHIAN 6222
TOP COPY
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1 THERE CONTINUES TO BE A GREAT DEAL OF MEDIA SPECULATION HERE ABOUT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MANDATORY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME. THIS SPECULATION IS BEING FUELED BY REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON, LONDON AND HANOI VARIOUSLY QUOTING UNNAMED OFFICIAL SOURCES. YOU WILL HAVE SEEN THE EXTENSIVE COVERAGE IN THE UK SUNDAY PRESS NOW BEING REPLAYED HERE: ALSO TODAY'S (27 NOVEMBER) FINANCIAL TIMES ARTICLE QUOTING VIETNAMESE OFFICIALS IN HANOI AS SAYING THAT AN AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED ON 22 NOVEMBER.
2. SOME OF THIS REPORTING IS NO DOUBT MISCHEVIOUS AND INNACCURATE. NEVERTHELESS IT IS ADDING TO TENSION IN THE CAMPS.
3. SPECULATION IS CERTAIN TO MOUNT OVER THE NEXT WEEK OR SO. WE SEE IT AS MOST IMPORTANT THAT BRIEFING AND COMMENT BE KEPT TO THE ABSOLUTE MINIMUM. WE ARE KEEPING TO THE LINE SET OUT IN TUR AND RECOMMEND STRONGLY THAT ALL RECIPIENTS DO THE SAME.
WILSON
YYYY
DISTRIBUTION
119
ΜΑΙΝ
111
.VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HK
LIMITED
RMD
PS
HKD
SEAD
UND
LEGAL ADVISERS
PUSD
ECD (E)
PS/MR MAUDE
PS/MR SAINSBURY
PS/LORD BRABAZON
PS/MRS CHALKER
PS/PUS
MR GILLMORE
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