GR
IMMEDIATE
CYPHER CAT A
FM SINGAPORE 1007007
RESTRICTED
HKK 243/332/
11011977
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RESTRICTED
TO IMMEDIATE GOVERNOR HONG KONG TELNO 29 OF 10/10
AND TO IMMEDIATE IMMIGRATION HONG KONG
INFO IMMEDIATE FCO AND ROUTINE KUALA LUMPUR, UKMIS GENEVA
AND WASHINGTON.
FOR DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION AND POLITICAL ADVISER HONG KONG:
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES,
11/10
1. STRAITS SHIPPING, LOCAL AGENTS FOR CHINA NAVIGATION CO. HAVE TOLD US THAT THE HONG KONG REGISTERED VESSEL ''SINKIANG"" HAS PICKED UP 28 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES (19 MALE, 7 FEMALE, 11 CHILDREN) IN SOUTH CHINA SEA. SINKIANG IS DUE IN SINGAPORE 11 HOURS 12 OCTOBER.
2. SINGAPORE AUTHORITIES HAVE MAINTAINED A CONSISTENT POLICY TOWARDS ADMISSION OF SMALL BOAT REFUGEES PICKED UP AT SEA. THEY WILL ONLY ALLOW THEM TO LAND IN SINGAPORE FOLLOWING RECEIPT OF A WRITTEN GUARANTEE FROM VESSEL'S COUNTRY OF REGISTRATION THAT THEY WILL BE ADMITTED TO THAT COUNTRY FOR THE RESETTLEMENT PROCESS TO BE CONTINUED THERE IF UNHCR ARE UNABLE TO RE-SETTLE THEM IN A THIRD COUNTRY WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF ARRIVAL. HERE. IN THE RECENT CASE OF REFUGEES PICKED UP BY THE UK REGISTERED STRATHAPPIN H.M.G. GAVE A GUARANTEE OF ADMISSION TO THE U.K. FOR THE RESETTLEMENT PROCESS TO CONTINUE THERE AND UNHCR UNDERTOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTENANCE DURING THEIR STAY IN SINGAPORE. WE HAVE APPROACHED UNHCR WHO STATE THAT THEY WOULD GIVE A SIMILAR UNDERTAKING IN RESPECT OF THE REFUGEES ON THE SINKIANG.
3. SHIPPING AGENTS HAVE ENQUIRED WHETHER WE CAN ISSUE ON BEHALF OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT THE GUARANTEE REQUIRED BY THE SINGAPORE AUTHORITIES. WE UNDERSTAND THAT SHIP'S NEXT PORT OF CALL WILL BE PORT MORESBY, BUT IT SEEMS UNLIKELY THAT SHIP'S MASTER WILL BE PREPARED TO CONTINUE HIS VOYAGE WITH 28 EXTRA SOULS ON BOARD. ON PAST FOR MASTER WILL HAVE TO SIGN A POND
FOR SINGAPORE DOLLARS 568,220 BEFORE ENTERING HARBOUR HERE AND GUARDS WILL BE POSTED
KESTRICTIO
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