J
GRS 305
CONFIDENTIAL
DESKBY 04010OZ
FM MANILA 031130Z
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
CONFIDENTIAL
TELEGRAM NUMBER 010 OF 3 FEBRUARY1979
HKK 243
243/1
YRD. 51
5FEB 99
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INFO FCO, UKMIS GENEVA, WASHINGTON, AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE, LONDON.
YOUR TELNO 14: TUNG AN
294
en
1. YOU WILL APPRECIATE FROM MY TELNO 9 THAT THERE MUST EXIST A DISTINCT POSSIBILITY OF PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT SENDING "TUNG ANʼ TO HONG KONG AT END OF CURRECT DEADLINE (BY MY RECKONING 9 OR 10 FEBRUARY). THEY WILL NATURALLY BE RELUCTANT TO DO SO BUT RISK OF PUBLIC CRITICISM MAY WELL BE OUTWEIGHED BY FOLLOWING
CONSIDERATIONS:
(A) THREE OTHER REFUGEES SHIPS ARE NOW CERTAINLY KNOWN TO BE IN VICINITY OF PHILIPPINES AND IS RECONFIRMED THEY HAVE ALREADY DROPPED OFF 604 REFUGEES IN PALAWAN. THEY ARE BOUND TO WANT TO DISCOURAGE THESE AND OTHER VESSELS FROM THINKING THEY CAN FIND A HAVEN HERE (PHILIPPINE NAVY HAVE NOW BLOCKADED MANILA BAY)
(B) THE CONTINUING FINANCIAL BURDEN OF SUPPLYING THE VESSEL AND THE LACK OF ACCOMMODATION FOR REFUGEES ON SHORE,
(C) FEAR THAT COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE PROMISED RESETTLEMENT MAY LOSE INTEREST OR DELAY FURTHER IF PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT BACK
DOWN FROM THIS SECOND DEADLINE.
2. IT IS DIFFICULT DURING WEEKEND TO GET ANY FIRM INFORMATION ON SEAWORTHINESS OF VESSEL. WE SHALL MAKE FURTHER ENQUIRIES NEXT WEEK ABOUT THIS AND OTHER PRACTICAL ASPECTS.
3. IT IS HARD TO SEE WHAT WE MIGHT DO TO PERSUADE FILIPINOS TO KEEP TUNG AN HERE BEYOND MOVING THOSE REFUGEES YOU AND
/HMG
CONFIDENTIAL
$296
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