TNAG-0496-FCO40-561-Deportation-of-foreign-nationals-from-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 118

CONFIDENTIAL

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Mr Male

PS/Lord Goronwy-Roberts

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO HONG KONG FROM SOUTH VIETNAM

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It seems from Hong Kong telno. 19 to Saigon, as well as from Saigon telno. 24 to Hong Kong, that the South Vietnamese are continuing the process of publicly watering down and even denying the assurances which they gave to the Hong Kong Government and to the Ambassador in Saigon before the illegal immigrants were returned. HMG relied on these assurances in agreeing to the return and they have since been referred to in Parliament. It is necessary first that the Saigon Government should acknowledge

clearly that these assurances were given, and second that there

should not be another further dilution of their content. The

Hong Kong Government have asked Saigon to approach the South Vietnamese Government. I think we need to reinforce this request with instructions to our Ambassador to remind the South Vietnamese

of the wording of their assurances. He should also make it clear

that we expect them to acknowledge the assurances and to honour

them.

2.

The South Vietnamese Foreign Minister, Mr Bac, is coincidentally passing through London on a private visit. SEAD have spoken to the South Vietnamese Embassy on the lines of the attached draft telegram. This will doubtless be passed to Mr Bac. But we should also make sure that our disquiet is made clear to the South Vietnamese Government itself.

3.

with SEAD.

I accordingly submit a telegram which has been agreed

17 July 1974

CC

PS/Mr Hattersley PS/PUS

Sir D Watson

Mr Wilford

Mr Squire, SEAD

Mr McCaffrey, News Dept.

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