TNAG-0890-FCO40-1100-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 119

Mr M Simons

Head

SEAD

RESTRICTED

HKK 2431

Etui PA Voi 1576

(1106)

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES

-

ROACHBANK

1.

You asked for a brief situation report on the

Roachbank.

As at 10 am this morning the refugees were still aboard the ship anchored off Kaoshuing. However ICEM in Geneva tell me that there is a good prospect of the Taiwan authorities allowing the refugees ashore into a holding camp (probably in the Pescadores) I have emphasised, and we have asked the Koreans to do so also, that our first priority is to get the people off the ship. If the Pescadores camp provides the best means of doing this then well and good. The Bank Line (Roachbank owners) are amenable to steaming the ship to the Pescadores (about 70 miles or 3 hours steaming) if this proves to be the most effective way of getting the refugees there. ICEM are to make whatever arrangements are necessary with the ship agents in Taipei.

2 =

Two ICEM representatives from Hong Kong have been in Taiwan for 24 hours now and made contact with the Taiwan Authorities, ship's agents and Korean Embassy who have been helpful in smoothing their path. You will have seen the exchange of telegrams with SEOUL.

3.

Having been pushed, the Bank Line got their Master and the one English speaking refugee between them to produce (on 13 June) a full list of the refugees by family group. There are 296 in all, the majority under 30 years of age. The Home Office have a copy of the list. The Taiwan immigration authorities have been aboard the ship and established their own list and apparently discussed settlement in Taiwan.. ICEM told me this morning that none of the refugees wish to settle in Taiwan. All will be coming to Britain, a fact which did not really surprise the Home Office. ICEM will do their best to arrange passage to the UK for the refugees as soon as this

as this can be managed but there is a problem of capacity on British Airways, etc because of the DC10 groundings; things are expected to improve towards the end of next week.

4.

Home Office, and Bank Line with whom I am in regular contact are aware of all this. The General Council of British Shipping and Mr Murray Graham (Shipping Policy Division, Department of Trade) who contacted me today are also aware of the current state of play.

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