TNAG-0891-FCO40-1101-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 115

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Mr A M Simons, SEAD (W83A)

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Моликий поль

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VIETNAMESE REFUGEES: MV ASHFORD

➡

1. As I mentioned to you this morning Messrs Risdon Beasley Marine of Southampton have reported that their vessel, the Ashford (which is working on salvaging a wreck 130 miles off the Vietnamese coast) has picked up 41 boat refugees. One was actually born on board. The refugees' boat has sunk under tow and the Ashford is now in international waters off Singapore where she was going for bunkering. The owners know that Singapore will require a guarantee from us before they will let the refugees land and have asked for our urgent assistance.

2. The Company estimate that over a period of time their vessel has given succour to about 1500 boat people. It has been the practice to fuel, provision and repair where possible vessels which they have come across on the high seas and to tow them towards the nearest land. They have then been released in international waters to continue their journey. The Company had hoped to adopt the same practice in this instance but it has naturally been prevented by the sinking. The Company have been seeking an alternative solution by purchasing a small vessel in Singapore in order to give it to the refugees to enable them to continue their journey and allow the Ashford to freely enter Singapore. They told me that questions have however been asked in Singapore as to the purpose for which the vessel is required and they have also been approached for information by the London Evening News, an approach which they have so far refused to respond to.

20 June 1979

CC Hayward

FAR EASTERN DEPARTMENT (K251)

233 5528

CC:

PS

PS/Lord Privy Seal

PS/Mr Hurd

Mr McLaren, HKGD

Mr Simpson Orlebar, UND News Dept

PS/Mr Blaker

PS/PUS

Sir A Duff

Mr Cortazzi

Mr Murray Mr Samuel

Mr Head

>

Mr Burleigh )

Home Office, Queen Anne's

Gate

Mr V McGee, Overseas Development

Administration

Mr Murray Graham (DOT Shipping Policy Div)

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