TNAG-0791-FCO40-995-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1978 — Page 150

GR 125

IMMEDIATE

CYPHER/CAT A

FM HONG KONG 300753Z

CONFIDENTIAL

CONFIDENTIAL

TO IMMEDIATE CANBERRA TELNO.6 OF 30 MARCH 78,

INFO PRIORITY HANGI,

ROUTINE F.C.O.

36

PA

HKK 243

243/1

40

RECEIVED IN REJSTAY NO. 51 3 1 MAR 1978

DESK OFF

INDEX

No be

YOUR TELNO.1: RETURN OF VIETNAMESE FROM HONG KONG.

PEGISTRY Action Taken

1. YOUR TEL UNDER REF ARRIVED AFTER THE FLIGHT CARRYING THESE FOUR VIETNAMESE HAD LEFT. WE WOULD IN ANY CASE NOT HAVE WISHED

TO DELAY REPATRIATION SINCE THIS MIGHT HAVE CAUSED THE VIETNAMESE

TO REVERSE THEIR SURPRISINGLY QUICK AGREEMENT TO RECEIVE THEM

BACK. OFFICIALS IN HO CHI MINH CITY WERE AT FIRST RELUCTANT TO ACCEPT THE FOUR, CLAIMING NOT TO KNOW OF HANOI'S AGREEMENT. AFTER SOME DISCUSSION THE REPATRIATION WENT SMOOTHLY.

2 IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAVE MAINTAINED VERY CLOSE CONTACT

ON THIS CASE WITH THE AUSTRALIAN COMMISSION (WHICH WAS UNAWARE OF THE REQUEST TO DELAY REPATRIATION) AND WILL CONTINUE TO PASS

ON ANY DETAILS WHICH MIGHT HELP THEM.

MACLEHOSE

[REPETITION TO HANOI REFERRED FOR

DEPARTMENTAL DECISION, REPEATED AS REQUESTED TO OTHER POSTS]

FILES

SEAD

HKGD

MVD

UND

MR.MURRAY

MR.CORTAZZI MR.WEIR

CONFIDENTIAL

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