TNAG-0883-FCO40-1093-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 144

DSR TIC

CONFIDENTIAL

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Singapore), anticipating the problems which would ensue with

such large numbers of refugees on their territories, have

consistently maintained strict policies on refugee admission

Most and thereby insulated themselves against the problem.

the boat refugees have consequently given those countries a

miss and headed instead for territories elsewhere (Malaysia,

Thailand and Hong Kong), which have had a good humanitarian

record in dealing with refugees.

THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT

8 The Vietnamese Government's involvement in the traffic

refugees (see paragraph 3 above) is irrefutable. The Foreig

and Commonwealth Secretary summoned the Vietnamese Ambassado

on 23 January to complain of this in strong terms (see Annex

A senior Foreign and Commonwealth Office official summoned t

Vietnamese Ambassador further on 13 February (see Annex B) a

again on 27 February to present evidence (see Annex C) of th

Vietnamese Government's involvement in the refugee traffic.

9 Despite Vietnamese assurances that they will collaborat

with the UNHCR to ensure orderly departures of the refugees,

there is no evidence that this is yet happening. The Deputy

UNHCR has just paid a further visit to Hanoi and we await hi

full report. He said at a Press Conference in Bangkok that

he had reached "firm understanding" with the Vietnamese

Government on the orderly departure of family reunion cases

and special humanitarian cases. Even if this limited progra is implemented, it is unlikely to stem the continuing flow o

small boats out of Vietnam.

CONFIDENTIAL

/THE EFFECTS