Mr Simons (SEAD)
HKK 243/1
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO.
15 JUN1979
OFFICE
PA
ло
£26.6
5
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1019
tw Quguran 67271166
1. Mr. Murray mentioned today his concern that the British media should reflect the British Government's attitude over Vietnam's actions towards those who are now leaving that country. This is of course a matter for News Department and you will have noted that there was some mention of this in the Daily Express today.
2. Meanwhile OID have arranged for the transmission of two Guidances on the subject, Nos. 64 and 65 of 6 June, and are now working hard on a revision of our Background Brief on this subject. I would, however, welcome advice as to how much further we should seek to orchestrate an external campaign. Mr. Ford has said "it would be helpful if OID could arrange as wide usage as possible of material on the Hue Fong trial_7 particularly in non-aligned Third World countries". We are now beginning to receive material from GIS in Hong Kong but I submit that we should in any case wait to see whether this is picked up in the Third World. It certainly is being put out by Reuters. 1 have discussed this briefly with Mr. Webb Johnson of the Hong Kong Government Office, who is content and says that his organisation is not at present undertaking active briefing but simply answering queries.
3. Obviously COI will carry any ministerial statements in the VS or Retract Series.
7 June 1979
Copy to:
Mr Murray
Mr McLaren (HGD)
Mr Whyte (News Dept)
J N Allan
OID G 3/3
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