TNAG-0880-FCO40-1090-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 10

CONFIDENTIAL

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C. TO TRY TO PUT ACROSS, BOTH TO THOSE INVOLVED IN THE REFUGEE- RUNNING RACKET AND TO AN INCREASINGLY WORRIED LOCAL OPINION

THAT, DESPITE THE HUEY FONG AND SKYLUCK INCIDENTS, HONG KONG WILL NOT BE A COMPLETELY SOFT OPTION FOR FURTHER LARGE BOATLOADS OF REFUGEES.

2. THE PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF WHAT WE HAVE SAID ARE THAT

WE WILL ENDEAVOUR TO KEEP OUT, OR TO HOLD AWAY FROM THE MAIN PORT AREA, PREFERABLY ON THE BOUNDARY, ANY SHIPS WHICH WE SUSPECT OF BEING IN THE HUEY FONG OR SKYLUCK CATEGORIES. DOING THIS DEPENDS OF COURSE ON IDENTIFYING SUCH SHIPS IN ADVANCE, WE REALISE THAT THIS WILL NOT BE EASY AND THAT THERE WILL ALWAYS BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SHIPS TO SLIP THROUGH AS DID THE SKYLUCK.

3. WE DO NOT INTEND TO PIN OURSELVES DOWN IN ADVANCE TO ANY PARTICULAR METHOD FOR DEALING WITH SUCH SHIPS. EACH EPISODE IS LIKELY TO HAVE ITS OWN PARTICULAR CHARACTERISTICS AND WILL HAVE TO BE PLAYED ACCORDINGLY.

4. MEANWHILE WE WILL CONTINUE TO HOLD THE SKYLUCK WHERE IT IS TO CARRY OUT POLICE AND OTHER INVESTIGATIONS. WE INTEND TO TAKE OUR TIME ABOUT DOING THIS, WE HAVE A VERY REAL ACCOMMODATION PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, PUBLIC OPINION WOULD NOT ACCEPT THE RAPID LANDING OF THOSE WHO HAVE MANAGED TO SLIP IN AS THE SKYLUCK HAS

DONE.

FCO PASS SAVING HANOI

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MACLEHOSE

[REPEATED AS REQUESTED]

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SIR A DUTF

EID (E)

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CONFIDENTIAJ

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