TNAG-0882-FCO40-1092-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 138

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Mr Jimmy Stopèno is Prosident of the small No Grianal political party. In 1975 he proclaimed "independence" for his co- called Na Grimmel Fedoration based on the ioland of Santo in tho

north of the archipelago. Macko is a seperate island and lies como 120 km to the east of Santo. The British, French and Now Hobrides Governments do not recognise the claimed independent status of the Federation or the authority of Mr Stofens to speak for other than the members of his own party, Mr Stevong! raported offer to settle refugees on the island of Maolo was made without consulting the people of Macwo and has been condemned by the Macko Council of Chiefs.

Any proposal relating to the settlement of refugees in the Now Hebrides is initially a matter for decision by the lawful

Now Hebrides Government and Assembly. Since the New Hebrides Chief Minister has publicly disassociated his government from the offer reportedly made by Mr Stopens the question of intervention by cither metropolitan government does not arise.

2.

Subsequently Smart telephoned Snodgrass to say that the Australian DFA were reluctant to make public a British statement, and hoped that the High Commission in Canberra would be willing

and attribu

to issue it themselves. It was agreed that the text above could be drawm on freely by the High Commission in answer to press enquiries, and they had discretion to issue it as a statement` if a purely responsive attitude seemed inadequate.

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