TNAG-0882-FCO40-1092-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 108

CODE 18-77

NOTE FOR FILE

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG

Hack Sust

RECEIVED

INDEX

Мо

€ MAR 1979

PA

| 76.3.

NO. 51

REGISTRY

cron Taken

My

After consulting UND and on the instruction of Mr McLaren I passed the following to UKMIS Geneva on 5 March:

1!

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INSTRUCTIONS TO SIR J MURRAY, UKMIS GENEVA VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG

We should be grateful if you would return to the charge on this and please ask Mr Hartling if he would urge Mr De Haan to visit Hong Kong during his present visit to South East Asia. We have been unable to ascertain De Haan's exact travel plans but understand he may leave Bangkok next week for either Indonesia or Manila or both.

The Hong Kong Government are concerned that Mr De Haan should not miss the opportunity to call there given the growing refugee problem, especially the flow of Vietnamese refugees arriving from China in small boats and the presence of the Sky Luck. It could be misunderstood by the Hong Kong authorities if the Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees failed to respond to their request for his visit, particularly if he has time for Manila. We understand the UNHCR representative in Hong Kong agrees a visit would be extremely useful and has himself already requested De Haan to include Hong Kong in his itinerary.

Please report reaction.

"

5 March 1979

Əvilniaus

P J Williamson

Hong Kong & General Dept

cc: UND