TNAG-0892-FCO40-1102-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 221

DRAFT LETTER TO GC BS

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES

I do not think there is a need for me to rehearse the

situation which obtains now on this problem and by how

much it differs from when I first wrote to you on the

subject in September 1977. However, in light of the

actions taken by shipowners in liaison with Government

Departments during the recent incidents-affecting Sibonga,

Roachbank, Norse Viking and Ashford, it seems sensible

that we should give you further practical guidance to

pass on to individual shipowners in order to lessen the

burden placed on them as expeditiously as possible.

2 The first question facing shipowners is whether,

in the circumstances which prevail when refugees are

sighted, they should expect ships' masters to honour

their legal obligations to render assistance either by

picking up the refugees or by giving assistance and

supplies to enable refugees to survive a bit longer.

Clearly no advice or guidance can be given from those

who have no first hand knowledge of the situation.

decision based on humanitarian grounds alone has to be

taken by those on the spot but in all cases it should be

reported to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

A

3

In the event that survivors are picked up the next question to be considered is whether ships' masters should make for the first scheduled port of call or the

/ first