TNAG-0884-FCO40-1094-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 137

CODE 18 77

Covering CONFIDENTIAL

RESTRICTED

A

2

Reference....

He was not

to accept refugees picked up by Norwegian vessels. sure how Norway would be represented at the Conference.

5. · Neither was Dr Hillger sure exactly at what level the FRG would be represented at the Conference but said there might be a possibility of announcing a pledge to accept a small additional quota of refugees. It was, however, up to the Länder to make offers of resettlement places and for Bonn to coordinate these. He had no details of whether any announcement would be made with regard to financial assistance.

6. Dr Hillger himself wondered whether there was to be a meeting in the near future on the South East Asia Group of the Nine. If so, he thought this might present a good opportunity for EEC partners to exchange views about the Conference. I said I was not aware of any such meeting in the near future but thought his idea a good one which I said I would draw to your attention.

7. As with the Australian, I explained to both Mr Wegener and Dr Hillger our preoccupation over the Indonesian Foreign Minister's remarks that Hong Kong should not be able to participate in the island scheme. I also took the opportunity to remind them of the need for further resettlement places for refugees currently in the colony. They expressed sympathy for our position and undertook to report to their governments. They would keep in close touch with me between now and the Jakarta Conference.

25 April 1979

CC: (with enclosure)

HK&GD

WED

SWPD

Mr Stimson

Mr McGee FAO/ODM

Chanceries:

Canberra

Oslo

Bonn

P Morgan

United Nations Department

Jakarta

UKMis Geneva

RESTRICTED

Covering CONFIDENTIAL