TNAG-0889-FCO40-1099-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 146

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Mr Stitt, SEAD (W87)

INDO-CHINA REFUGEE PROBLEM

1.

Sir Leslie Kirkley, Chairman of the Standing Conference on Refugees, telephoned me this afternoon to say that, following his letter of 26 May to the Prime Minister, he had called on Mr Raison, Minister of State at the Home Office, to discuss the Indo-China refugee problem. Sir Leslie said that Mr Raison, however, was unable to enter into substantive discussion of a number of issues since these fell within the province of the

Sir Leslie wondered, therefore, whether he mightbe given an appointment to call on our Minister of State, Mr Blaker, some time before 14 June (the Standing Conference on Refugees meets on 14 June and Sir Leslie hopes to report on his discussions with Ministers). I said I would pass his request to you.

2 =

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Sir Leslie said that he would probably wish to be accompanied by both the Chairman of the British Council for Aid to Refugees. and the Chairman of the Asia Committee of the Standing Conference. The topics for discussion would be:

(i) Assistance to Thailand

(ii) Assistance to the UNHCR

(iii) The situation in Hong Kong

(iv) The question of assistance to Vietnam to

try to stem the exodus, and

(v) The rescue of refugees at sea by UK- registered vessels.

Arman

P Morgan

UN Department

5 June 1979

CC

Mr Williamson, HK&GD

Пади

Sir Leslie can be contacted through

Secretary of the Standing Conference

CANAL

The

Tel:8287616

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