TNAG-0889-FCO40-1099-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 10

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3. RESCUE BY AN AUSTRALIAN FLAG SHIP IS UNLIKELY BECAUSE SUCH

SHIPS ARE LARGELY CONFINED TO THE AUSTRALIAN COASTAL TRADE.

HOWEVER, A CONVERTED MINESWEEPER, AKUNA, IS ACTING AT PRESENT AS A

HOSPITAL AND ASSISTANCE VESSEL IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AND IT WILL

PRESENT A PROBLEM TO THE AUSTRALIANS IF IT RESCUES REFUGEES. ANOTHER

SUCH VESSEL, THE STAR OF THE SEA FORMERLY THE TUNG NI IS STILL

IN SINGAPORE UNDERGOING REPAIRS.

TEBBIT

SHIP DISTRY.

MAES

SEAD.

2-

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