TNAG-0653-FCO40-802-Previously-closed-extract-Folio-87.-Now-released-and-reunite-1977 — Page 48

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IMMEDIATE

CYPHER/CAT 'A'

FROM F.C.0. 030910Z

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DESKBY VIETIANE 050133Z

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29

NEXT

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TO IMMEDIATE HANOI TELNO 113 OF 4 JULY

AND TO IMMEDIATE VIETIANE (FOR, HANOI COURIER)

INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG.

by Enterr fo

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YOUR TELNO 145 AND HONG KONG TELNO 642: EVACUATION OF HONG KONG

BELONGERS FROM VIETNAM.

·72

1. IN VIEW OF THE TACIT CHINESE ACCEPTANCE OF INDEPENDENT HONG KONG REPRESENTATION IN WASHINGTON, GENEVA AND BRUSSELS, WE THINK WE CAN REASONABLY DISCOUNT ADVERSE CHINESE REACTION TO THE

INTRODUCTION OF HONG KONG OFFICIALS INTO VIETNAM (PARA 2 OF HONG KONG TELEGRAM UNDER REFERENCE). BUT WE AGREE THAT ANY REPRESENTATIVES IN SAIGON SHOULD BE SEEN TO BE ACTING UNDER THE INSTRUCTIONS OF HMG AND, UNLESS YOU SEE OBJECTION, AS MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF. IF THE CHINESE WERE TO COMPLAIN WE SHOULD DEAL

WITH THIS AS IT AROSE.

Not Love

2. SUBJECT TO YOUR VIEWS WE DO NOT THINK THAT THE APPOINTMENT OF A UK FLOATER WITHOUT EXPERIENCE OF HONG KONG REGULATIONS WOULD BE SUITABLE. OFFICERS FROM THE HONG KONG DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION ARE THE LOGICAL PEOPLE FOR THE JOB. IT MIGHT HELP IF ONE OF THESE OFFICERS WERE TO BE VISIBLY EXPATRIATE BUT HE WOULD HAVE TO BE

A CANTONESE SPEAKER.

3. WE, TOO, WOULD QUESTION WHETHER HONG KONG OFFICIALS WORKING IN SAIGON AS TEMPORARY MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF WOULD BE UNDER ANY GREATER PRESSURE THAN MAIDEEN IS AT PRESENT, IN ANY CASE MAIDEEN'S INDEPENDENT STATUS IS A MIXED ADVANTAGE,

4. WITH THE VIETNAMESE WE HOPE YOU COULD MAKE GOOD USE OF THE ARGUMENT IN PARA 3 OF OUR TELNO 106 THAT THE OFFICIALS ARE NEEDED AS THE FLIGHTS ARE BEING DOUBLED TO MEET VIETNAMESE WISHES ON REPATRIATION (HONG KONG TELEGRAM UNDER REFERENCE, PARAGRAPH 4),

15.

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