TNAG-0890-FCO40-1100-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 106

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APPROACH TO VIETNAM (YOURTEL. NUMBER 664) OAKLEY HAS TOLD US

THAT THERE HAS AS YET BEEN NO VIETNAMESE RESPONSE AND NOT D

IS FIXED FOR A MEETING IN NEW YORK. HE ACCEPTS THAT NOTHING THE AMERICANS COULD SAY ON THE MAIN AGENDA ITEMS SEEMS CALCULATED TO CARRY MUCH CLOUT WITH VIETNAM PARTICULARLY SINCE NORMALISATION

IS NOT IMMEDIATELY IN PROSPECT. THE INTENTION IS RATHER TO PUT THE

ONUS ON VIETNAM OF DECIDING THAT THEY CANNOT AFFORD NOT TO RESUME CONTACT WITH THE US AND BY THE VERY EXISTENCE OF THE CHANNEL TO

PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE VIETNAMESE TO GET OUT OF THEIR

QUOTE BUNKER UNQUOTE MENTALITY.

5. THE AMERICANS WILL TRY TO HAVE A FURTHER EXCHANGE WITH THE CHINESE (PROBABLY VIA THE CHINESE EMBASSY HERE) ABOUT THE REFUGEE PROBLEM BEFORE VANCE GOES TO BALI, INTER ALIA TO SEE IF THERE IS

ANY MILEAGE IN CHINA CONTEMPLATING A TEMPORARY RESETTLEMENT CENTRE

ANALOGOUS TO THAT PLANNED IN INDONESIA.

JAY

[COPIES SENT TO NO.10 DOWNING ST]

NEWS D

FILES SEAD HK & GD

UND

FED

EESD

N AM D SAD

EID (E)

PUSD

OID

IPD

M & VD

PS PS/LPS PS/MR.HURD PS/MR.BLAKER PS/PUS

SIR A DUFF SIR A PARSONS MR.CORTAZZI

MR.LEAHY

MR. MURRAY

2

COPIES TO:

HONG KONG GOVT. OFFICE LONDON

MR.WOODFIELD

MR. BURLEIGH

MR.HILLARY MR.BIRT

MR.V.MCGEE

HOME OFFICE

QUEEN ANNE'S GATE

HOME OFFICE LUNAR HOUSE

CROYDON.

FAO/ODA

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