running from after 19 January, on the basis of an initial rate of
one a fortnight.
4.
We should also be grateful for your thoughts on the practicalities of the next repatriation flight. We note that you
propose to find an
find an alternative to Phoenix House for the final
departure point: in view of the controversy over the exercise to
remove the last group from Chi Ma Wan and the methods which were
necessary to ensure that move s success, Ministers are concerned
that the removal of the next group should go as smoothly as possible.
5. We propose to make maximum use of this time to canvas support
for multilateral agreement on mandatory repatriation at SC3(2).
To that end we will be continuing our current attempt to secure American acquiescence, if not active support in advance of the
Milbre meeting, and we sending separate lobbying instructions to
selected posts.
6.
To strengthen our position at SC3(2), it will also be
important to be able to demonstrate that we have done all we can
to speed up the voluntary programme
to return as many of
the 1200 outstanding volunteers as possible before the meeting
Ministers would be grateful for your thoughts on
to achieve this, including the
resumes.
measures that might be
possibility of according some form of permanent facility to
Vietnamese officials, perhaps at Lowu, so that the process of
clearing names can be accelerated.
7. For Hanoi. In returning to the charge with the Vietnamese,
grateful if you would make it clear
it clear to them that it is our
intention that repatriation flights should resume as soon as
possible after 19 January, and that agreement on the modalities
be a g of this is urgent. We should also be grateful for an
assessment of their reaction to the proposal set out in para 7 of
our telno 415 for a scheme for next year for quick screening and
return of new arrivals.