HLRABH
2+3/24 CONF
IDENTIAL
HKB
RECEY
30MAY 1989
Mar foul
abandonment of first asylum
the memek by weplectors
"option" isn't only
un palatable.
b
\25/1
It is
unworkable.
impolitic, illegal and
Mr Brenton
UND
PRE
2515
Mr. Mchagen
W2575
From:
A R Paul
Hong Kong Department
Date:
24 May 1989
CC:
PS
PS/Lord Glenarthur
PS/Mr Eggar
PS/Mr Patten
PS/PUS
Mr Gillmore
Mr McLaren
Mr Slater
SEAD
Legal Advisers
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE:
1.
FIRST ASYLUM
2
Thank you for your minute of 22 May.
ра
pa /257
I have also seen
Mr Hat full's minute of 24 May, recording Mr Eggar's views.
2.
The points in your minute are well understood. But the fact remains that we are responsible for Hong Kong. The current crisis
means that we may have to choose between two options: mandatory repatriation or the abandonment of the principle of first asylum. Neither is at all palatable, although, as I have minuted before, the former (if attainable) would appear to me to be more acceptable than
the latter.
3.
There is of course another way forward, should the situation (and the political mood) in Hong Kong deteriorate further: that HMG should meet part, if not all, of the cost of accommodating boat
people in Hong Kong.
million per year.
At current (1989/89) levels this would be £60
ARPanc
A R Paul
CONF IDENTIAL
f