TNAG-0882-FCO40-1092-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 50

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70.

The ultimate purpose of the Government's handling of the "Huey Fong" was to deter ships engaged in the organised traffic of Vietnamese refugees from coming to Hong Kong. The Government had only two levers which it could deploy, keeping the ship outside territorial waters and legislation designed to put fear into the hearts of those organising and participating in the trade. These levers proved insufficient in the case of the "Huey Fong" and there is a good chance that they will not be a successful deterrent in the future. Hong Kong needs two kinds of action. The first is a substantial and rapid increase in resettlement offers from other countries, the second is international pressure to persuade Vietnam to moderate its policies and to make proper arrangements for the orderly outflow of those who have good reason to leave the country. Hong Kong alone cannot solve the problem of refugee ships.

Security Branch,

Government Secretariat,

Hong Kong.

23rd February, 1979.

CONFIDENTIAL

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