TNAG-0892-FCO40-1102-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 57

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except for New Zealand who appeared to favour the proposal (from what we hear however from the New Zealand High

Commission here, Australian reporting from Wellington has over emphasised their support in fact they have some reservations on the proposal). Initial reactions to the Media proposal were generally guardedly favourable.

6. Mention of these three proposals was made in the background to the PM's brief on the CHGM for her talks with Mr Fraser. We have since been given to understand by Australia House that the subjects are still under consider- ation by Australian officials and that Mr Fraser does not intend to raise them with Mrs Thatcher. However it was considered advisable, in case Mrs Thatcher wishes to raise the refugee issue herself, to send additional telegraphic briefing, and this has been done. It is considered however that following Mr Stratton's reply to Mr Cook (which is likely to be given on either 2 or 4 July) it would be advisable, particularly in the case of the racism proposals, subsequently to repeat our arguments at a high level in Canberra. UND, SAFD, SEAD agree.

29 June 1979

Encls

Vatican

J R Paterson

Commonwealth Coordination Dept

W140

233-4493

cc:

PS

UND

CAfD

PS/Mr Blaker

SEAD

SAFD

Sir A Duff

IPD

SPD

Mr Leahy

FED

NENAD

Mr Murray Mr Willson

HKGD

SAD

Rhodesia Dept

CRD

CONFIDENTIAL