CONFIDENTIAL 6.
formal notes. The Vietnamese Ambassador in London has been absent from his post since March, and HM Ambassador is now on mid tour leave. Charges are First and Second Secretary level. bilateral action is possible:-
Further
(a) by maintaining our Embassy under a First Secretary Charge
when our Ambassador is due to return;
(b) by enforcing restrictions on size of Vietnamese Embassy,
London (10 Vietnam based v 5 UK based in Hanoi);
S
(c) by closing the Vietnamese trade office in Hong Kong this
may be a possibility after the remaining staff of the un- official office in Ho Chi Minh City have left later this month, but the views of the Hong Kong Government would need to be sought again.
(d) by withdrawing our mission in Hanoi but not breaking relations
(eg. non-resident representation from Bangkok or Peking); (e) by breaking relations. But these last two are very
unattractive last resorts: the presence of a Mission in Hanoi has allowed us at least to make representations there on possible large boat operations, apart from being able to call in the Embassy here.
All of these would be more effective as a political move if co-ordinate with other nations, eg. in the Nine (but the Danes, Dutch, French and Irish of the Nine may be unwilling to form up with us). See separate brief for action in the UN. They can however be usefully considered with likeminded delegations.
UK Vietnam Bilateral Aid
19.
UK Bilateral Aid has been suspended, apart from
(a)
completion of payments to Austin and Pickersgill Ltd from the Aid and Trade Contingency Provision in respect of 4 cargo ships for Vietnam: outstanding payments in 1979-80, approximately £2 million;
(b) English language training in UK for last year of
for last year of course for students, approximately £200,000 over 1979-80, 1980-81.
UK Vietnam Trade
20. UK exports to Vietnam are marginal, £2.2 million in 1978, and ECGD Section 2 credit total of £25 million almost exhausted. Only one more substantial order could be supported from the balance of £6.1 million (equivalent to a £4 million loan) and this is already on offer
CONFIDENTIAL
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