TNAG-0890-FCO40-1100-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 25

POLICY TOWARDS VIETNAMESE RESCUED AT SEA

3.

As my Right Honourable Friend the Home Secretary informed the

House on 11 June, we shall honour our international obligations in

accordance with the Law of the Sea. These obligations require

masters of British ships to assist those in distress at sea.

However, normal international practice is for the country of the

next port of call to take in people so rescued. I cannot give a

commitment that all such people would be accepted into this

country irrespective of the circumstances.

WILL BRITAIN TAKE MORE REFUGEES?

4. This is for the Home Secretary. [A Background Note is

attached].

THE MV ROACH BANK AND THE MV NORSE VIKING

5.

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Representatives of the International Commission on

European Migration are in Taiwan to make necessary arrangements

for the disembarkation of the refugees and their transfer to

the United Kingdom. The refugees are still on board but we

hope it will soon be possible for them to go ashore.

6. The MV Norse Viking is now in Osaka, Japan. We are in

touch with the Japanese Government about its refugees.

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