TNAG-0891-FCO40-1101-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 156

USTA

FA 243/1

Mr Murray

CONFIDENTIAL

Hkk 2431

DEM O FIGAN

NOVEX

PA

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ON BOARD THE MV, RD

21. Me Qmathi याद Or 21/6.

1. The owners of a British salvage vessel, the mv Ashford have sought urgent advice about 30 Vietnamese refugees picked up yesterday in the South China Sea.

But

2. The vessel's master is attempting to repair the craft from which the refugees were saved. If successful he intends to replace the refugees in the craft which he will have replenished, and tow them to within 12 miles of land before letting them go. he is uncertain whether he can make the craft seaworthy. 3. The Ashford's next port of call is Singapore. If the refugees are still on board when the mv Ashford arrives, we think that the Singapore authorities will admit them temporarily only against undertakings by the country owning the mv Ashford and by the UNHCR that the refugees will be maintained in Singapore and will be removed within two or three months. Mr Hennings, who has been consulted, considers that Mr Lee Kuan Yew, if approached on the matter, would not be willing to make an exception in the mv Ashford's

case.

4.

However, as Mr Lee will be calling on the Prime Minister at 12 noon tomorrow, 20 June, I enclose a draft letter to No 10 Downing Street, about the case.

19 June 1979

*

Copies to:

PS/LPS

PS/PUS

Mr Cortazzi

Mr McLaren, HKGD

CONFIDENTIAL

A M Simons

South-East Asian Department