210
1500
GR 595
PRIORITY
PHER/CAT A
FM HONG KONG 178931Z
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
..J. 51
2 0 JUN 1977.
du Board
I Rund have hunyour tear we and take ume, unters
+KK 24/8/3/4/UND or any signs fed ioned
2081334
TO PRIORITY F.C.O TELNO.609 OF 17 JUNE,
But
to armament. Das would
cipes to Home offer - Mr.ecute
INFO PRIORITY: TEL AVIV, UKMIS GENEVA, TOKYO, KUALA LUMPUR, and
SINGAPORE, WASHINGTON.
MY TELNO.539 (NOT TO ALL) :
2310. 2016
"Why copying
SMALL BOAT REFUGEES FROM VIETNAM.
Mir Mother's minute
Z
1. A
حمد کاک
Mu. Birt ar
قلبا
Luver Is Croydon, of Acant.
DFM
1. IN THE PAST WEEKS, WE HAVE SEEN A SHARP INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SMALL BOAT REFUGEE CASES COMING IN OUR DIRECTION, PRESUMABLY BECAUSE NOW IS THE BEST SEASON OF THE YEAR FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO ESCAPE FROM VIETNAM TO CHANCE THEIR ARM ON THE MAIN SHIPPING
LINES IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
2. BETWEEN THE BEGINNING OF MAY AND THE MIDDLE OF JUNE, FIVE SHIPS WITH HONG KONG AS THEIR FIRST PORT OF CALL HAVE BROUGHT IN 106 REFUGEES. WITHIN THE LAST FOUR DAYS WE HAVE HAD FOUR FURTHER SHIPS CARRYING A FURTHER 104 REFUGEES.
3. FOLLOWING THE CASE OF THE AVA, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GRANT THESE SMALL BOAT REFUGEES THREE MONTHS' TEMPORARY STAY ON CONDITION THAT THE U.N HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINAL SETTLEMENT ELSEWHERE. WE CAN CONTINUE TO TAKE SMALL GROUPS OF REFUGEES PROVIDED THAT THE NUMBERS AND FREQUENCIES DO NOT BECOME TOO EXCESSIVE FOR LOCAL OPINION TO ACCEPT AND THAT WE GET FIRM ASSURANCES FROM THE UNHCR AND THE INTER-GOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE FOR EUROPEAN MIGRATION IN EACH CASE.
4. DURING THE COURSE OF THIS YEAR, WE HAVE ALREADY TAKEN INTO HONG KONG SOME 1500 VIETNAMESE ON SPECIAL FLIGHTS FROM SAIGON. WE ARE LIKELY TO ABSORB UP TO ANOTHER 2,000 PEOPLE DURING THE REST OF THIS YEAR. THESE ARE, IN THE MAIN, RELATIVES AND DEPENDENTS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE, WHO ARE ENTITLED UNDER CURRENT POLICY TO
ENTER HONG KONG.
WART
REF.
NZXT
(SS)
15. THE VESSEL
71
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.