CONFIDENTIAL
1184
Mr Simons, SEAD
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES
1.
HKK243/1m William
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227.6
822. J26.6 H%
Sir Leslie Kirkley, Chairman of the Standing Conference on Refugees (SCORE), called on Mr Blaker at his own request this afternoon at 2 pm. Sir Leslie explained that he had seen Mr Hartling in Geneva on 19 June.
2. Sir Leslie asked Mr Blaker if the FCO could assist the voluntary organisations in their plan to publicize the objectives of the UN conference in a special journal. The task would take 3-4 weeks. Could we help with cash, material and people? On cash Sir Leslie explained that SCORE were thinking of hiring a journalist to mastermind the publication. William Shawcross was one personality they had in mind. Sir Harold Evans might be able to think of someone. SCORE would welcome financial assistance. On material Sir Leslie would be grateful of any available FCO background information on the situation in Indo-China and South East Asia and on the plight of the refugees. On people Sir Leslie confessed that he was fishing, with no great expectations in the hope that the FCO might lend somebody to assist SCORE in their preparations for the UN conference. Mr Blaker said he had no objection to the proposed journal. It was unlikely that we would be able to help with people. Finance would also be difficult, but the ODA might be able to identify a suitable source of funds. We should be able to help with background material.
3.
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Sir Leslie Kirkley asked if SCORE could be represented at the conference as observers and lobbyists. And should they meanwhile adopt a high public posture in this country to improve the British public's knowledge of the situation? He had floated his ideas about stirring up public opinion to Mr Hartling who had been less than enthusiastic. Perhaps he felt that SCORE was questioning the effectiveness of his own consultations. Mr Blaker said he was surprised that Mr Hartling was So confident that international public opinion had grasped the extent of the problem. But it would be too late to launch a major public relations effort at the time of the conference. Governments would have already taken their decisions. The conference was likely to be short. Only if it were long could Lobbying be useful. Mr Blaker said he would Let Sir Leslie know when the date and venue for the conference were finally fixed. Sir Leslie should also speak to Mr Raison at the Home Office who should be involved in any effort to condition public opinion in this country.
22 June 1979
CC: PS/Mr Marten
Mr Murray o'r
Mr Leahy OID
bolin A. Muns
CA Munro PS/Mr Blaker
HKGD✓ UND
EID (E)
Mr Snoxell, UKMIS Geneva
CONFIDENTIAL
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