TNAG-0557-FCO40-652-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-into-othe-1975 — Page 30

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1396

Oral Answers Foreign Secretary of the Provisional Revolutionary Government?

21 MAY 1975 Mr. James Callaghan: Her Majesty's Government recognised the new Govern- ment of South Vietnam on 12th May.

Mr. Cryer: Is my right hon Friend aware that he will have the support of the Government benches for that action? Will he confirm that the takeover by the new Government was effected peaceably, in contrast to the stories circulated by the media and Opposition Members? Will he also confirm that the best action for many refugees--in contrast to the squalid actions of certain commercial interests, such as the Daily Mail-is to return to Vietnam? Will he assure the House that he will give assistance to those people, if so requested?

Mr. Callaghan: As to the takeover, I understand that Saigon was not—as had been expected-subjected to shelling by the North Vietnamese regular troops who were on the outskirts of the city. There was no killing of the civilian population. The return of refugees is a matter that must be left to them. They will know whether they are likely to be able to satisfy the requirements of the new régime and to live there peacefully. We have a large number of refugees in Hong Kong,

some of whom would wish to return but most of whom would not. This will present us with a problem.

Mr. Goodhart: Is it not plain that all the important decisions about the future of South Vietnam are taken in Hanoi? Why should we recognise two Govern- ments in what is, in effect, one country? What decision has been made about the Vietnamese refugees who want to come to this country?

Mr. Callaghan: It is not at all plain that all decisions are being taken in Hanoi. We shall have to wait to see how the situation develops. At present, we are one of the 68 nations which have recog- nised the Government in Saigon and at this moment I think that that is the right thing to do. I believe that the Home Secretary has made a statement on the admission of refugees to this country. I do not think that any quota has been fixed and I understand that all cases are con- sidered on their merits.

Mr. Ford: Will my hon. Friend give the names of the Prime Minister and

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Mr. Callaghan: Why does my hon. Friend ask me such awkward questions?

Mr. Cormack: Will the right hon. Gentleman at last express his concern at the way in which South Vietnam was taken by the Communists? Will he at last condemn the actions of the North and the Russians, and will he beyond per- adventure make plain that the refugees from the South who wish to have asylum here and the children who are already here will be either safely received or allowed to remain?

Mr. Callaghan: I understand from all the hon. Gentleman's previous questions that he is much more concerned to dig back into the past and to follow up those matters than he is to try to create stable conditions in South Vietnam in the future. Throughout the whole of my experience,

I have been in no doubt that there was a

large body of people-perhaps the largest body of people-who did not support the Thieu Government, the Communist Gov- ernment or the PRG, but the PRG is the administrative authority and it is upon that that we base our recognition. As to the future of refugees, the hon. Gentle- man should put down Questions about that to the Home Secretary.

Mr. Maudling: The Foreign Secretary said that the guns threatening Saigon were North Vietnamese army guns. wish to comment on that?

Does he

Mr. Callaghan: There is no need to; it is well known.

Peace and Security (UN Charter) 16. Mr. Churchill asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps Her Majesty's Govern- are taking to uphold the principles out- United Nations. lined in Article 1.1 of the Charter of the

Mr. Ennals: We continue to work with other like-minded countries for the main- tenance of international peace and security in accordance with the United Nations Charter.

Mr. Churchill: Bearing in mind that Article 1.1 of the Charter of the United

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Nations declares the of the United Natio

"to take effective the suppression of ac and recognising Secretary has just sa of South Vietnam the North Vietnam the British Govern demned this agressi the matter in the U the Foreign Secreta of State not concern for keeping the pead ing down in the before the last war?

Mr. Ennals: The seeking to fall into his hon. Friend. I hon. Friend-as 1 important thing now of reconciliation in V of the Vietnamese p by attempts to allo blame to one side of out the whole hist United Nations has in the problem exc tarian point of view. ment of the North of the South are me Nations, so it would for the United Na involved.

Mr. Newens: D Friend agree that were forecast by never took place, th there is a genuine p that the people hav rebuild their country reconciliation? Will make clear that the will take a cordial v and give full suppor ities in South V Vietnam which are s

Mr. Ennals: I th recognise that over acts of violence have both sides. That is with a sense of gro the end came it was lives were lost. It British Government tion, rebuilding assistance.

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