TNAG-0793-FCO40-997-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1978 — Page 247

IMMEDIATE

PER CAT A

FM HANOI 251330Z

CONFIDENTIAL

DESKBY 260700Z

CONFIDENTIAL

HKK 243

243/1

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY RO. 51 27 OCT 1978

DESK OF CER

INDEX

PA

No of

TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELNO 177

REGIOTRY Action

ion

CLS

PA

AND TO FLASH HONG KONG AND IMMEDIATE HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE LONDON..

245

HONG KONG TELNO 229 AND MY 179 : VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.

246

1. HEAD OF CHANCERY WHO HAS JUST RETURNED FROM HO CHI MINA CITY WAS TOLD BY MAIDEEN THAT PANAMANIAN SHIP STARTED TO LOAD REFUGEES AT POINT OUTSIDE VIETNAMESE TERRITORIAL WATERS ON 24 OCTOBER. PLAY 1S TO LOAD 1500 REFUGEES OVER PERIOD OF FOUR DAYS BY MEANS OF SMALL BOAT SHUTTLE SERVICE. ONE BOAT FOUNDERED ON 24 OCTOBER AND MANY REFUGEES WERE DROWNED. 2. PANAMANIAN SHIP INTENDS TO HEAD FOR HONG KONG BUT IF WEATHER IS BAD (THERE ARE TWO TYPHOONS IN PACIFIC AT THE MOMENT) SHE WILL ALTER COURSE TO AUSTRALIA.

FCO PASS FLASH HONG KONG AND IMMEDIATE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON

MARGETSON

FILES

SEAD

HK&GD.

UND

MR CORTAZZI

MR STRATTON.

CONFIDENTIAL.

CUPIES

то

HONG KONG GOUT OFFICE.