TNAG-0793-FCO40-997-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1978 — Page 59

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11. Dr Owen said he recognised the very heavy burden which the

We were conscious Vietnamese refugees had placed on Malaysia. that we had taken only a small number, by Malaysian standards. But we had special problems of our own; there were still echoes from the Ugandan Asian exodus, large numbers were still entering Britain from India and Pakistan. There had been trouble here about nine months ago, but the Government were standing firm. We would never be able to make a major contribution in terms of numbers. The problem needed an international solution; Malaysia could not be expected to carry the problem alone.

12. Tengku Rithauddeen said international consultation was needed the UNHCR conference in Geneva in December provided a useful opportunity. Dr Owen said the conference might help.

The

As

UNHCR was a good man, but he had many problems world-wide. for the UK, we had taken about 1,200 Indo-Chinese refugees, but there was a much bigger problem in Hong Kong, where 14,000 had gone from Vietnam. They had placed a considerable strain on the Colony, just when it was beginning to get on top of its social problems Dr Owen asked what should be our attitude towards

Vietnam.

13. Tengku Rithauddeen said that Malaysia had an Ambassador in Hanoi, and had offered cooperation on rubber-growing where Vietnam could not pose an economic threat to Malaysia's own industry. Malaysia did not want Vietnam to look only towards Moscow. Dr Owen said that the EEC had considered this aspect himself was doubtful because of Vietnam's record.

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but he

14. Tengku Rithauddeen said Vietnam was very powerful in the region. The Vietnamese regarded themselves as the only country to have beated both China and the USA. They were, therefore, bound to feel euphoric. Malaysia felt the need to offer at least a token cooperation, to prevent Vietnam becoming entirely Moscow-orientated. Yugoslavia had taken a similar view. ASEAN/EEC consultation might be helpful in clarifying how the Nine might forge some links with Vietnam.

15. He observed how the "Hai Hong" affair had been publicised in Britain and elsewhere. Malaysia was looking for a solution. Canada, France and the USA were likely to take some of the refugees, and Malaysia hoped arrangements would be made to

But in contrast transport these people in the next week or so. with the previous monsoon, when few had risked the journey, this year Malaysia was receiving about 3,000 "boat refugees" a week, and the total in Malaysia had now reached 40,000. It was just not possible to absorb so many into Malaysia because of the race,

The Thais had an even health and security problems they posed.

There was a real greater problem with their 130,000 refugees. dnager that, if the refugees stayed close to Vietnam, they could become indoctrinated by the Communists. Malaysia was already fighting communism, and would not welcome the problem becoming more acute.

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