GF 323
}
CONFIDENTIAL
12
機密
In the event, these arrangements were modified slightly to deal with the "Huey Fong".
41.
In the light of the sighting of the ship by the RHKAAF during the afternoon of 22nd December, the imminence of the Christmas holiday, and the request for HMS Wasperton to intercept the ship that evening, the Secretary for Security decided to reinforce the operational plan by activating the Civil Co-ordination Centre (C.C.C.). This was done with effect from 21.00 hours on 22nd December. The C.C.C. took over the command post function and remained open until 23rd January, 1979. It functioned throughout this period to give effect to the decisions of the Policy Group and to co-ordinate all operational aspects. Initially the C.C.C. was manned by shifts of Government Secretariat Officers chosen at random, as they would be for any other emergency situation,supported by officers of the Security Branch. This arrangement was modified on 28th December as described in paragraph 44 below.
42.
Responsibility for security on scene while the ship remained in international waters outside the Square boundary was the responsibility of the R. N. under the Senior Royal Navy Officer present, supported by the RHKP. When the ship entered harbour responsibility for security was transferred in full to the Police (Marine District) with R.N. support. The Deputy District Commander assured overall control of the arrangements for processing and disembarking the refugees from 19th to 23rd January, 1979.
43.
The Policy Group, under the Chairmanship of the Secretary for Security, first met at 1100 hours on 23rd December, 1978. Thereafter it met at least once on almost every day until the ship entered harbour. The Group continued to meet at irregular intervals after that, primarily to deal with arrangements for the detention and resettlement of the refugees. At the first meeting the Chairman stressed the need to avoid unilateral action by the departments involved without prior policy clearance and the necessity for observing the established areas of responsibility as far as possible. The composition of the Policy Group is shown at Annex F.
44.
On 28th December, 1978 the Policy Group decided to establish an Operations Group from its membership to relieve it of operational matters and to replace the normal C.C.C. shifts during office hours. During quiet periods a C.C.C. duty group maintained watch in the C.C.C. The planning and execution of all activities was the responsib- ility of the Operations Group. This included the prepar- ation of contingency plans for the processing, disembark- ation and accommodation of the refugees should the "Huey Fong" enter Hong Kong waters. The composition of the Operations Group is shown at Annex F.
CONFIDENTIAL #2
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.