Mr Haswell
I agree
さ
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE HANOI
72
ETD
TELNO 13
OF 06110OZ
FEBRUARY 90
INFO IMMEDIATE FCO
INFO PRIORITY UKMIS GENEVA
CONFIDENTIAL
Mr CAJin, JEM)
I don't see
how
can useful comment/ envellynk withral name. ADVANCE COL
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110234
MDADAN 4380
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION
1. WE HAVE RECEIVED A DISTURBING REPORT FROM A JOURNALIST HERE ABOUT THE ALLEGED ILL TREATMENT OF A PERSON WHO HAS RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME. THE JOURNALIST CLAIMS TO HAVE RECEIVED A COPY OF A LETTER FROM THIS PERSON IN WHICH HE ALLEGES THAT HE HAS BEEN HELD IN A RE-EDUCATION CAMP SINCE HIS RETURN TO VIETNAM. THE REPORT IS SAID TO HAVE REACHED THE LOCAL
OFFICE OF THE UNHCR.
2. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ASKED TO COMMENT ON THIS REPORT BUT THE FACT THAT THE INFORMATION HAS COME FROM A JOURNALIST SUGGESTS THAT THE STORY IS ABOUT TO BREAK. AS WITH A SIMILAR REPORT WHICH APPEARED IN THE SUNDAY TIMES SOME WEEKS AGO, WE DOUBT THE SUBSTANCE OF THE ALLEGATION. NONETHELESS, IF THE STORY BREAKS IN ITS PRESENT FORM IT COULD DO A GOOD DEAL OF DAMAGE TO THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME. IF THE REPORT DOES SURFACE IN THE LOCAL PRESS WE SHALL NEED TO BE IN A POSITION TO ISSUE AN IMMEDIATE AND AUTHORITATIVE RESPONSE (HOPEFULLY, A DENIAL) IN CONJUNCTION WITH UNHCR. WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND ANY LIGHT YOU CAN THROW ON THIS.
WILSON
YYYY
RECEIVED IN RES STRY
DISTRIBUTION
6 26 FEB 1990
DESK
INDEX
SUGUSTEY
on laken
ADVANCE
6
VIETNAMESE REPATRIATION
HD/HKD
HD/SEAD
PS/MR MAUDE
MR MCLAREN
PRESS OFFICE NO 10
www
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