CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 188
CONFIDENTIAL
нко 24319
OF 17104OZ JANUARY 89 and
INFO IMMEDIATE HANOI
INFO PRIORITY UKMIS GENEVA, BANGKOK
TOP
Q DIST ?
176
173373
MDHIAN 8796
HANOI TELNO 18 TO FCO : VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG FIRST
RETURNS
1
·
SEE MIPT.
2. WE ARE GRATEFUL TO HANOI FOR ACTION TAKEN IN TUR, AND FOR THE LIST OF VOLUNTEERS ACCEPTED FOR REPATRIATION.
3.
DE
WE HAVE HELD PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS WITH KARIM, UNHCR CHARGE
MISSION ON THE MODALITIES OF THE REPATRIATION EXERCISE.
4.
ASSUMING THAT WE SHALL NEED TO HAVE ABOUT 100 NAMES, THE NEXT
STEP WILL BE TO ARRANGE THE VISIT OF THE VIETNAMESE OFFICIALS.
UNHCR HERE ARE APPARENTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR BOOKING CHARTER FLIGHTS FOR REPATRIATION. THEY ARE UNLIKELY TO MAKE ANOTHER ATTEMPT (THE PAL CHARTER HAVING LAPSED) UNTIL THE OFFICIALS' VISIT IS CONFIRMED.
BOOKING CHARTER FLIGHTS REQUIRES AT LEAST ONE MONTH'S LEAD TIME.
5. GRATEFUL THEREFORE IF HANOI COULD PROBE VIETNAMESE INTENTIONS AS TO NUMBERS, DATES AND DURATION OF VISIT. WE IMAGINE THAT THREE OR FOUR WORKING DAYS SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT FOR INTERVIEW FORMALITIES. WE SHOULD STILL LIKE THE VISIT TO TAKE PLACE BEFORE CNY/TET, IF POSSIBLE, TO CLEAR THE WAY FOR A FIRST REPATRIATION LATER IN FEBRUARY.
6.
UNHCR HERE ACCEPT THAT THE VISIT WILL BE UNDER THEIR AUSPICES.
THE WILL BE MEETING ALL ACCOMMODATION COSTS. WE INTEND TO PROVIDE
A CAR AND ASSISTANT LIAISON OFFICER (A POLICEMAN).
7.
WE SHOULD BE INTERESTED TO KNOW, IF HANOI CAN DISCOVER, WITHOUT ASKING DIRECTLY, WHETHER THE VIETNAMESE DELEGATION INTEND TO MAKE
CONTACT WITH THEIR TRADE OFFICE HERE.
ICM WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS BEFORE DEPARTURE. UNHCR WANT THAT VIETNAM MAY REQUIRE HIV (AIDS) TESTING.
8.
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CONFIDENTIAL