CONFIDENTIAL
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We
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growing that Hong Kong should follow the example of the Malasians and Thais and push boats back to sea after providing food, water and fuel. I am sure that the Governor would resist any such policy as long as he could. But in the absence of effective help from Britain his position will become increasingly difficult. If he were ultimately forced to adopt such a policy either by local pressure or by advice or order from London, we should be severely criticised internationally not least by the United States. might in addition be arraigned for breaches of human rights.
9. Our merchant shipping in the Far East also involves us directly. Masters of British ships are legally bound to pick up people in distress at sea. But, if they cannot get rid of those picked up, their ships may be tied up for indefinite periods at vast cost to · British shipping companies at a time when it is increasingly difficult to operate at a profit. There have already been reports of British masters being directed to avoid the most likely areas where Vietnamese refugees may be in distress. The temptation to turn a blind eye must be great. It would be difficult to prove a case against a master especially as the sea-worthiness of junks and other small vessels must to some extent be a subjective judgement. We have heard from Hanoi that up to two-thirds of the refugees setting out may not reach their destinations. The Economist gives a somewhat lower figure, but the loss of life is appalling. Even so I have seen nothing to suggest that the numbers which might be picked up by British ships are likely to rise startlingly. The following governments have undertaken to receive refugees rescued by their Own vessels: FRG, Canada, Belgium, Denmark, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden and Greece. By refusing to uphold the pledge to take refugees picked up in distress at sea and insisting that each case will be treated on its merits, the Government has put shipowners and masters in a real dilemma, moral, practical and financial and are out of line with other major shipowning countries.
10. I recognise the Government's problems over immigration and the real practical and financial difficulties facing the Home Office in resettling even a few refugees. But we are facing a humanitarian
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CONFIDENTIAL
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