!
SECRET
SECRET
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 27
OF 0417OOZ JANUARY 90
HKB
243 15
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
24 JAN1990
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
RA
INFO IMMEDIATE HANOI, UKMIS GENEVA
REGIS R
Action Taken
FROM HKD
59 HKB 243 ja
AOS
(516)
@
DIST >
q
165253
MDHOAN 0535
YOUR TELNOS 3893 AND 4134 OF 1989 AND 36: VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: 1990 STRATEGY
1. WE WERE GRATEFUL FOR THIS EARLY INDICATION OF THE LINE IN THE
EXCO PAPER. WE WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU COULD FAX THE PAPER ITSELF TO US TO ENABLE US TO STUDY YOUR PROPOSALS IN GREATER DETAIL. THE SECRETARY OF STATE WILL OF COURSE WISH TO DISCUSS VBPS, INCLUDING THE STRATEGY FOR 1990, WITH EXCO WHEN HE MEETS
THEM ON 16 JANUARY.
2. WE SEE THE ATTRACTIONS OF A PROCEDURE WHICH RETAINED THE CURRENT STATUTORY PERIOD FOR APPEALS. THIS SHOULD BE MORE CREDIBLE INTERNATIONALLY AND POSSIBLY EASIER TO SELL TO THE VIETNAMESE. BUT THERE ARE ALSO POTENTIAL DISADVANTAGES, EG
THE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN AND THE RISK THAT THE PROCEDURE COULD GET BOGGED DOWN. WE DO NOT THINK THAT THE OPTION OF MOVING IMMEDIATELY TO A QUICK 2/3 DAY TURNAROUND SHOULD BE DISCOUNTED THERE WOULD BE PRESENTATIONAL ADVANTAGES IN A PROCEDURE UNDER WHICH VBPS DID NOT ACTUALLY SET FOOT ON HONG KONG SOIL OR SEE THE INSIDE OF A CAMP. WE THINK THAT THE PROS AND CONS OF THE APPROACH SHOULD BE FULLY EXAMINED IN YOUR PAPER. 3. THE IDEA OF CHARTERING A BOAT NEEDS FURTHER THOUGHT. IN VIEW OF THE COST, WE WOULD HAVE TO BE SURE THAT IT WOULD BE PROPERLY UTILISED IN ORDER THAT IT WAS COST EFFECTIVE.
WE
ASSUME THAT YOUR PAPER INCLUDES THE RELEVANT ASSUMPTIONS AND
CALCULATIONS ABOUT THIS.
HURD
YYYY
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