ONFIDEN
letnamese Boat eople
revious eference:
C(89) 27.4
that United States
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troops would remain in
Europe. Nevertheless, despite this reassurance, there was considerable anxiety about United States' intentions. Although Mr Cheney had said that there would be no fixed agreement at the United States/Soviet Summit in Malta, and that NATO allies would be properly consulted, some Defence Ministers had noted that President Bush would be ready to talk about any subject which resident Gorbachev raised, presumably including troop uctions. At a private lunch for Ministers only, the concerns of allied governments had been conveyed to Mr Cheney who had to report back to President Bush. It was worrying that SAR and the NATO military structure did not see a feasible way maintaining proper defence below current levels. The spokesman at the White House, and President Bush himself in a press conference, had done their best to damp down speculation, but some uncertainty remained.
&
THE FOREIGN COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY said that an agreement had been conclude on 22 November with the Vietnamese Government which provided áserances covering the treatment of Vietnamese immigrants and the mentoring of their situation after they had returned to Vietnam, The Vietnamese Government had insisted that the arrangements ould be private, but this had not prevented them from male public statements in which they had presented themselves as defenders of human rights. The date for the first repatriation had not yet been fixed.
The key objective was not so much empty the present refugee camps as to prevent a new wave of Vietnamese immigrants. It would not be possible for Hong Kong to deal with another 30,000 illegal immigrants next year. Consideration was being given to the best way of turning round the refugee efore or on arrival. This was the normal policy pursued the British and other governments in dealing with illegal immigrants.
In a brief discussion, it was pointed out that although there was a possibility of demonstrations against Cathay Pacific Airlines if they provided aircraft for repatriation, the airline was keen to take on the assignment since this would be popular in Hong Kong. The planned repatriaten was entirely in line with the policies of all governments i deling with such problems. If it became impossible to return thegal immigrants to their own country, this would lead to internatio anarchy.
lections in
india
THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH SECRETARY said that alth the results had not yet been received in the elections on 22-26 November, it was clear that Congress (I) had done worse than expected. Mr Rajiv Gandhi had resigned but continuing as a caretaker Prime Minister. It seemed likely
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