СНАААО
Mr McLaren
PS/Mr Maude
CONFIDENTIAL
Nob Stuh
FROM: C C D Haswell
DATE:
CC:
Hong Kong Department
12 February 1990
PS/PUS
Mr Weston
Mr Gillmore
Mr Paul, HKD
Mr Brenton, UND
Special Advisers
HIKE
24315
121
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: THE WAY FORWARD
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
0 7 MAR 1990
DESK !!!
|___INDES
is
1. The situation we face over the boat people at the moment pretty bleak. I still continue to believe, probably naively, that reason and perhaps a touch of eloquence might prevail.
The irony is
that the consensus document we drafted in Geneva took full account of the United States' attitude and provided for them being right; it also provided for them being wrong, and as such, could not have represented a fairer compromise. Our difficulty is that at the highest level the fine detail becomes blurred: yet crucial significance can lie in a handful of words. presentation is all.
At that point,
2. It might just be worth considering another message to President
If no more, it Bush before we decide to try and go our own way. would provide the Prime Minister with a clear opportunity at a later date to say "I told you so". I submit an attempt at a draft.
C C D Haswell
CONFIDENTIAL