SECRET
SECRET
Q
TO COPY LIST
(406
036576
MDHIAN 6137
FM HONG KONG
TO DESKBY 25213OZ WASHINGTON
TELNO MISC 870
OF 251145Z NOVEMBER 89
AND TO IMMEDIATE
FCO
INFO IMMEDIATE HANOI, UKMIS GENEVA
HKB
24319
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: REPATRIATION
THERE HAVE BEEN EXTENSIVE NEWS REPORTS HERE FROM WASHINGTON ON THE PRIME MINISTER'S DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT ON MANDATORY REPATRIATION. ONE ELEMENT IN THESE REPORTS CAUSES US SOME CONCERN. BRITISH EMBASSY OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON ARE QUOTED AS SAYING THAT DESPITE THE PRESIDENT'S QUOTE PROFOUND DIS- AGREEMENT WITH THE UK POSITION UNQUOTE MANDATORY REPATRIATION
OF NON-REFUGEES WILL BEGIN IN 3 WEEKS TIME. WE SHOULD BE
GRATEFUL FOR CLARIFICATION.
2. SEEN FROM HERE, SUCH COMMENTS ON TIMING INCREASE OUR OPERATIONAL DIFFICULTIES. THESE NEWS REPORTS REACH THE CAMPS IMMEDIATELY AND LEAD
TO AN INCREASE IN TENSION. THE GROUPS AT PHOENIX HOUSE BEGAN A
PROTEST EARLIER TODAY BY REFUSING TO TAKE FOOD AND THESE REPORTS
FROM WASHINGTON WILL UNDOUBTEDLY FUEL THEIR PROTEST.
WILSON
YYYY
DISTRIBUTION
119
ΜΑΙΝ
111
.VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HK
LIMITED
RMD
PS
HKD
SEAD
UND
LEGAL ADVISERS
PUSD
ECD (E)
FED
PS/MR MAUDE
PS/MR SAINSBURY
PS/LORD BRABAZON
PS/MRS CHALKER
PS/PUS
MR GILLMORE
MR SLATER
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