TNAG-0878-FCO40-1088-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 78

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3. DE HAAN REMINED ME THAT UNHCR'S STRONG PREFERENCE WAS FOR DISEMBARKATION ON THE SPOT. THE FACT THAT THE US. WERE NOW PREPARED TO TAKE 1,300 REFUGEES FROM HONG KONG BY MID - FEBRUARY AND A FURTHER 600 BY THE END OF MARCH OUGHT TO HELP TOWARDS THIS END.

4. WE REGRET THAT GIVEN UNHCR'S NEED TO AVOID ALL POLITICAL CONTROVE- RSY, THERE SEEMS NO HOPE OF GETTING THEM TO REVERSE THIS LINE.

FCV

MACINNES

COPIES TO

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