$1
2
1. C.
c. Mr Paul %
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Mr Shoe ~ 11/12
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RJ 12
нио 2+3/а
PS/Mr Maude
FROM:
DATE:
DH Colvin
South-East Asian Dept
6 December 1989
CC:
Mr Weston
Mr Gillmore o/r
Mr McLaren o/r
Mr Paul, HKD, o/r
Mr Brenton, UND
Mr Whitehead, News Dept Mr Lidington
Mr Fraser
A
B
C
D
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE:
1
DETERRENT MEASURES IN VIETNAM
The Minister of State asked about measures in Vietnam to deter clandestine departures.
2 Such action is specifically addressed in the Comprehensive Plan of Action (relevant extract attached). At SC3 in Geneva in October Vietnam and UNHCR reported on the action which they were taking, the former to reduce and stem "illegal" departures and the latter through information and media activities. (See extract from the reports on SC3 and Lord Ennals' visit in Hanoi telno 475).
3 We are monitoring UNHCR's activity in this area closely (Hanoi telno 476). The senior UNHCR official, Vieira de Mello, takes the view that despite much activity it is difficult to quantify results so far. UNHCR are encouraging the Vietnamese authorities to develop their own public information activities. UNHCR officials have taken part in interviews with the BBC, Voice of America and French and Australian radio stations. They have broadcast to villages around Hanoi and other areas from which boat people have departed. They have also appeared on television on the West Coast of the US and in Hong Kong in an attempt to spread the word. Vieira de Mello tells us that he and two colleagues will be flying to Hanoi soon to discuss a long list of information issues with the Vietnamese.
CA 2 ANL
CONFIDENTIAL
473