TNAG-0794-FCO40-998-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1978 — Page 80

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(IV)

TOWING THE SHIP ABOUT FIFTY MILES OUT TO SEA USING A CIVILIAN TUG. THIS WOULD AGAIN REQUIRE A PARTY ON BOARD THE

SHIP TO SECURE THE TOW. THE PARTY WOULD HAVE TO BE PROVIDED BY THE NAVY.

3. OPTION 2(1) IS OPEN TO THE LEAST OBJECTIONS BUT IS ALSO THE

WEAKEST FORM OF PRESSURE. 2(11) OBVIOUSLY INVOLVES THE CONSIDERABLE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTY. OF GETTING THE CREW OFF AGAIN IN THE OPEN SEA OR THE POLITICAL PROBLEM OF LANDING THEM IN A TAIWANESE PORT. 2(111) AND (IV) ARE OPEN TO THE SAME OBJECTIONS.

4. WE ARE AWARE THAT OPTIONS (111) AND (IV) ARE ALSO OUTSIDE ANY LEGAL POWERS WHICH WE OR THE R.N AT PRESENT HAVE, ALTHOUGH (IV) SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT SUCCESSFULLY BY BRUNEI (BRUNEI TELNO.285 (NOT TO ALL). THE CAPTAIN-IN-CHARGE IS CONSULTING THE

M.O.D URGENTLY. HE WILL REQUIRE A REPLY BEFORE 2100Z TONIGHT AT

THE LATEST.

F.C.O PLEASE PASS SAVING HANOI.

MACLEHOSE

[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]

i

FILES

UND SEAD

HK & GD FED NEWS D

COPIES TO:

HONG KONG GOVT. OFFICE IN

LONDON

SAD

EID

PUSD

OID

IPD

PS

PS/LORD GORONWY ROBERTS

SIR A DUFF

MR.CORTAZZI

MR.MURRAY

MR. LEAHY

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