CONFIDENTIAL
4. I am agnostic on whether the flow from Vietnam would be increased. But there is certainly a danger that the political constraints on Vietnam, especially from close neighbours whose goodwill she now needs, to limit the flow would be reduced if she could be allowed to feel that the problem was no longer one for individual countries but for the "international community" as a whole. On balance therefore I think there is a danger that the flow might be increased as a result.
5. I am sure that the main aim must be to continue to mobilise the maximum pressures on vietnam, especially from ASEAN countries and from the UNHCR (and the Deputy High Commissioner is about to visit Hanoi), to create conditions in which, while some emigration is still allowed, it takes place only on an orderly basis and not by boat; and to encourage other countries of the region to take the same actions as Hong Kong has done to deter the boat captains and others who organise the présent racket by legislation to penalise them.
6. I would be willing, if you agree, to call a meeting on this as Mr Leahy has suggested at which these points could be pursued further (though we should need the clarification from
the Indonesians referred to above). For this purpose it would be valuable to have your own views.
from hand.
15 February 1979
co:
Sir A Parsons
Mr Cortazzi
Mr Murray
Mr Leahy
Mr Simpson-Orlebar
SEAD
HK&GD
M&VD
News Dept
(Evan Luard)
CONFIDENTIALI
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