TNAG-0893-FCO40-1103-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 196

CONFIDENTIAL

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Mr Stratton told Mr Cook that we were in agreement with the Australian initiative on communications and the media.

4.

5. Mr Cook said he would be in touch if any further points on the three initiatives occurred to him. In response to a question, he said that he thought most of the replies the Australians had had from other countries so far had been inconclusive, as if the recipients had been somewhat taken aback by the proposals. There had been several requests to see actual drafts of the proposed declarations. (On the day following the meeting Mr Cook rang to confirm what he had said about replies from other Australian posts - other countries had not been asked about refugees; most were doubtful about the racism initiatives - Jamaica for instance feeling it did not go far enough; most were guardedly favourable to the media initiative, one exception being Singapore.)

Following the meeting, Mr Stratton suggested that the telegram to our High Commissioner in Canberra should ask for our response to be reiterated to the DFA at a senior official level, rather than a ministerial one.

6.

Distribution:

Private Secretary

PS/Mr Blaker

Sir A Duff

Mr Leahy

Mr Murray

Mr Willson

Mr Stratton

UND

SEAD

IPD

FED

Mr Burleigh Mr McDowall

HKGD

Rhodesia Dept

SAFD

CAfD

SPD NENAD

SAD

CRD

Home Office

Immigration & Nationality Div, Home Office, (Lunar Hse)

CONFIDENTIAL