RESTRICTED
024350 MDHIAN 2811
LOWER OVERHEADS AND ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS FOR THE VIETNAMESE IN THE
CASE OF THE LATTER.
2. WE AGREE WITH MOST OF THE CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT, SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS:
A. (RECOMMENDATION (C) IN THE REPORT) WE ARE ANXIOUS TO COOPERATE WITH UNHCR TO MOUNT AN EFFECTIVE INFORMATION CAMPAIGN IN THE CAMPS, AND HAVE ENCOURAGED THEM TO DO THIS.
B. (RECOMMENDATION (F)) WE FIND STRANGE THE COMMENT (PRESUMABLY THAT OF THE VIETNAMESE, NOT LORD ENNALS AND MR RAISON) THAT IT WOULD BE A BREACH OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACTUALLY TO PREVENT PEOPLE LEAVING THE COUNTRY. WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS AN OFFENCE IN VIETNAM (AS IT IS IN MANY OTHER COUNTRIES) TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY WITHOUT AUTHORISATION. THE CPA REQUIRES VIETNAM TO DETER CLANDESTINE DEPARTURES. THE FREEDOM TO TRAVEL SHOULD NOT INCLUDE A RIGHT TO DISREGARD AND BE EXEMPT FROM THE NORMAL PASSPORT, VISA AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS OF OTHER COUNTRIES.
C.
(RECOMMENDATION (I)) IT WOULD BE ATTRACTIVE, BUT WE SUSPECT UNREALISTIC, TO THINK THAT ALL NON-REFUGEES WILL VOLUNTEER TO GO BACK TO VIETNAM UNDER A SINGLE ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME. WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THE PRINCIPLE OF MANDATORY REPATRIATION MUST BE MAINTAINED, BOTH TO DETER FURTHER CLANDESTINE DEPARTURES, AND BECAUSE THE ALTERNATIVE FOR THOSE WHO DECLINE TO VOLUNTEER, NAMELY INDEFINITE DETENTION IN HONG KONG, IS NOT A SENSIBLE OPTION.
D. (RECOMMENDATION (J)) WE REITERATE THAT NO FORCE WAS USED ON 12 DECEMBER, AND WE ARE PLEASED TO NOTE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO ALLEGATIONS IN THE REPORT OF THE USE OF FORCE. IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE OF THIS FIRST OPERATION, WE MAY BE ABLE TO REDUCE CSD AND POLICE NUMBERS IN FUTURE OPERATIONS. BUT WE MUST NOT DELUDE OURSELVES INTO BELIEVING THAT THESE 51 WOULD HAVE ACQUIESCED IN THEIR RETURN ON 12 DECEMBER WITHOUT THE ELEMENT OF PERSUASION PROVIDED BY A SUBSTANTIAL POLICE AND CSD PRESENCE: NOR THAT WE CAN GUARANTEE THAT THERE WILL BE NO RESISTANCE FROM FUTURE GROUPS OF NON-VOLUNTEERS. ALSO THE NUMBERS OF POLICE ONBOARD THE AIRCRAFT WERE LARGELY DICTATED BY THE NEED TO SATISFY CATHAY PACIFIC AS TO THE SECURITY OF ITS AIRCRAFT. WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT ANY CIVILIAN AIRLINE WILL AGREE TO CARRY NON-VOLUNTEERS BACK TO VIETNAM WITH A VERY SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED POLICE PRESENCE.
WILSON