TNAG-0884-FCO40-1094-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 133

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8. It will be clear from the foregoing that whatever the

result is on Hong Kong we shall not be able to provide

specific briefing until after the elections on 3 May.

General background briefing onthe refugee problem is in the

Bag.

9. For Washington.

Please ask the Americans, who are aware

of the serious increase in refugee arrivals in Hong Kong and

whom we understand are keen supporters of the transit centre

proposal, whether they would also consider speaking to the

Indonesians with a view to having Hong Kong included in this

scheme. We should be most grateful for any support they can

give in this regard. The fact that they expect to take fewer

refugees from Hong Kong during April and May (Hong Kong

telno 475 not to all) might be an added inducement to them to

help us.

10. For UKMis Geneva. please continue to argue (with

UNHCR) for Hong Kong's inclusion in scheme.

11. For Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok: please advise whether you

think an approach to your governments might be helpful as a

means of having Hong Kong included in the island transit

centre project.

CONFIDENTIAL