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037325 MDHIAN 6187
HKB 2+3/9
Q DIST ?
FM HANOI
TO
IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 635
OF 270505Z NOVEMBER 89
INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG, UKMIS GENEVA, WASHINGTON
CHONG KONG PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR)
YOUR TELNO 393: VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: REPATRIATION
1. I CALLED ON LE THO OF CONSULAR DEPARTMENT THIS MORNING
AND EMPHASISED THE NEED TO ARRANGE THE FIRST FLIGHT EARLIER RATHER THAN LATER (IE 5 OR 6 DECEMBER RATHER THAN 14 DECEMBER).
HE REPEATED THAT THIS WOULD BE DIFFICULT BUT PROMISED TO SPEAK
WITH THE INTERIOR MINISTRY (NGUYEN CAN) URGENTLY.
2. ON PUBLICITY, IT EMERGED THAT A MEMBER OF CONSULAR DEPARTMENT WAS INSTRUCTED LAST WEEK TO SPEAK WITH UNHCR HERE ABOUT THE
PROBABLE CONFLICT OF FLIGHTS ON 14 DECEMBER. I EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR CONFIDENTIALITY.
3. ON PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE RETURNEES, CONSULAR DEPARTMENT NOW ADMIT THAT THEY DID INDEED RECEIVE THEM FROM US SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND
AGREE THAT THERE IS NO NEED FOR MORE.
4. AGREED MINUTE (AS AMENDED BY YOUR TELNO 389) WAS SIGNED ON 22 NOVEMBER. COPIES IN BAG.
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.VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HK
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PS/MR MAUDE
PS/MR SAINSBURY
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