TNAG-0886-FCO40-1096-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 75

CONFIDENTIAL

GRS 210

NFIDENTIAL

DESKBY 280900Z F CO

FM HONG KONG 280700Z MAY 79

HKK 24/1

RECEIVED IN FACSTSY NO. $1

757

TO IMMEDIATE F C O

TELEGRAM NUMBER 657 OF 28 MAY

DESK OFFICI

INFO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDONTA

No

Y

(254)

A

MY TELNO 647: VIETNAMESE REFUGEES : 'STBONGA ANDRO ACHBANK".

1. THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETS TOMORROW AT 0930 LOCAL. FAILING A DECISION ON THE 'SIBONGA'', GRATEFUL FOR AN INTERIM REPLY (DESKBY 282330Z) COVERING ANY POINTS ON WHICH YOU WISH TO CONSULT

SU (REFTEL PARA 3) AS WELL AS THE LATEST POSITION ON THE ' ''RO ACHBANK (PARAS 2 AND 3 BELOW).

2. WE HAVE SEEN PRESS REPORTS THAT THE OWNERS OF THE ''RO ACHBANK

ARE TRYING TO PERSUADE THE AUTHORITIES IN TAIWAN TO ALLOW HER CARGO TO BE OFFLOADED IN KAOHSIUNG SO THAT IT CAN COME HERE WITH THE

REFUGEES STILL ABOARD.

3. GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD URGE BANK LINE TO INSTRUCT THE ''ROACHBANK'' TO AWAIT THE UK DECISION WHERE IT IS. IF IT CAME ON

HERE WITH REFUGEES ON BOARD WE WOULD HAVE TO REFUSE ENTRY. IF THE FINAL DECISION IS THAT HMG CAN OFFER A GUARANTEE THEN WE BELIEVE IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT THIS IS APPLIED IN TAIWAN AS THE SHIPS FIRST PORT OF CALL.

MACLEHOSE

FILES

UND

HK & GD

SEAD

FED

MVD

SIR A PARSONS

MR CORTAZZI

MR MURRAY

MR LEAHY

MR FIGG

CONFIDENTIAL

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