CONFIDENTIAL
HKA 020/14
166747
MDHIAN 8684
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HANOI
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 31
(COMMS NOTE: REFTEL NOT RECEIVED AT TIME OF
DISTRIBUTION)
OF 10083OZ JANUARY 92
AND TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
INFO IMMEDIATE UKREP BRUSSELS, UKMIS GENEVA
INFO PRIORITY WASHINGTON
la
MIPT: VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS: ORP II : RECOMMENDATIONS
тр
1. THERE WILL BE A FURTHER OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THESE MATTERS WITH THE VIETNAMESE FOREIGN MINISTRY OVER DINNER TONIGHT. LORD CAITHNESS INTENDS TO STAND FIRM AT THIS POINT AGAINST THE PRESSURE FOR MORE MONEY AND TO SEE HOW STRONGLY THE VIETNAMESE INSIST ON A GO-SLOW ON THE ORP AND VOLUNTARY PROGRAMME IN THE ABSENCE OF FRESH RESOURCES.
2. THE MINISTER BELIEVES THAT OUR OBJECTIVES MUST BE FIRST TO MAINTAIN THE CREDIBILITY OF ORP I (TO KEEP A CAP ON HONG KONG'S CAMP POPULATION), SECONDLY TO FACILITATE
A RISING RATE OF VOLUNTARY RETURNS CAN INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATION FOR HANOI AND UNHCR AND CHEAPER THAN ORP), AND THIRDLY TO SECURE AGREEMENT ON AT LEAST SIX ORP II FLIGHTS (SAY ONE A MONTH UNTIL THE SUMMER) TO ENSURE THE CREDIBILITY AND DETERRENT VALUE OF OUR ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE VIETNAMESE AND TO GUARD AGAINST ANOTHER SUGRE OF DEPARTURES THIS SPRING.
3. OUR INITIAL OBJECTIVE WILL BE TO GET THE VIETNAMESE TO AGREE TO A PRESS LINE ALONG THE LINES OF MIFT. THIS WOULD INVOLVE:
I) BOTH SIDES REAFFIRMING EXISTING UNDERSTANDINGS (INCLUDING THE COMMITMENT TO INCREASE THE RATE OF REPATRIATION UNDER THE UNHCR ARRANGEMENT).
II) AGREEMENT ON ORP II MODALITIES (WITH SIGNATURE TO FOLLOW AFTER FINAL CLEARANCE IN LONDON) AND A COMMITMENT TO AT LEAST AN INITIAL RUN OF FLIGHTS.
III) A BRITISH EFFORT TO GET THE EC AND UNHCR TO FACILITATE A MORE RAPID FLOW OF FINANCE TO THE AFFECTED COMMUNITIES. WE SHALL EMPHASISE THAT THE VISIT MUST BE PUBLICALY SEEN TO BE A SUCCESS IF WE ARE TO AVOID A BAD IMPRESSION GROWING UP IN THE CAMPS.
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