TNAG-0654-FCO40-803-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 126

CONFIDENTIAL

Reference

GN/MAI-L/S

10/140/4

Mr Simone mud,

SEAD

REGY

Enter

1618

15 AUG 1977

SAMUEL LENA-MAIDEEN TV 400

FAV 400/548/3/

124

1. In FCO telegram No 100 of 24 June to Hanoi a three months' extension to the validity of Mr Maideen's British passport was authorised. The extension would run from October 1977. Subsequent telegrams indicate that the circumstances in which the request for an extension was made may cease to exist within three months of October: Hanoi telegram No 139. para 1, mentions that Maideen wanted to leave Vietnam and be in Europe by Christmas; and Hong Kong telegram No 655, para 2, expresses the hope that interest in having a British presence in Ho Chi Minh City may be much reduced by the end of 1977.

FAV 400/548/4 (30

2. Could you say whether you know of any change in Mr Maideen's plans to leave Vietnam before the end of 1977, and whether it is any clearer where he intends to go? By staying abreast of any relevant news I hope we can retain some freedom of action and avoid having our hands forced by events. It would, for example, be undesirable to be obliged, after missing some less extreme alternative, to put a case to the Secretary of State that Mr Maideen should be made a British protected person (para 4 of your letter of 13 May to the Ambassador.

9 August 1977

Refinedley.

RG Smedley Nationality and Treaty Department Cl 537 213 3794

See attached minute

CONFIDENTIAL