TNAG-0496-FCO40-561-Deportation-of-foreign-nationals-from-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 53

CONFIDENTIAL

Foreign and Commonwealth Office London SW1

HE Mr J C W Bushell CMG

SAIGON

LAST

Telephone 01-

Your reference

Our reference

Date 26 July 1974

170

Dew Buckell,

REF.

NEXT

REF.

202

ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO HONG KONG FROM SOUTH VIETNAM

1.

I am sorry that we have been so much nuisance to you over the treatment of the 118 illegal immigrants after their return to Vietnam. I can see all the arguments for not pressing the Vietnamese Government for a statement. But the overriding need is for Ministers here to be able to point to a specific South Vietnamese acknowledgement that assurances were given before the group was returned. Lord Goronwy-Roberts has been heavily attacked by the supporters of Amnesty International who have asserted, e.g. in the New Statesman, either that no assurances were given, or that he was gullible in believing them.

2.

This has led to some uncertainty on how far Ministers could support return of illegal immigrants to Vietnam in any future cases. Fortunately Lord Goronwy-Roberts was yesterday able to discuss and agree with Murray MacLehose the precautions that would be taken by Hong Kong before return. He was also heartened by the indications in your telno. 202 that the South Vietnamese Government were carrying out their assurances in practice. However, the Minister has asked us to keep him informed about subsequent developments including numbers released, especially women and children; where the others are; how they are being treated; the results of any trials etc; and above all that none has died or been killed. He has said that he would wish finally to appraise the situation after the trials.

3.

I fear this means asking you to keep in close touch with future developments and to inform us as soon as there is any change. I imagine that you will be able to get this information in low key and at lower than Head of Mission level. But however, the information is obtained, Lord Goronwy-Roberts would be grateful if it could be conveyed to us by telegram as soon as possible.

cc (blind)

сс

No Squire SEAD

Yours ever,

Adow Shi

A C Stuart

Hong Kong & Indian Ocean Dept.