TNAG-0895-FCO40-1105-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 32

Mr Cortazzi

CONFIDENTIAL

(SOHA

HKK 243)!

Vin

248

Put Aw

VIETNAM REFUGEE MERCY SHIPS

Mr Blaker asked for background information on Hong Kong telegram No 1070.

1.

(1477

2.

B

C

14-71

The points which General Romulo made to the Governor of Hong Kong are the ones which the Governor made in his telegram No 1060, de the reasons why he dislikes attempts to promote rescue operations.

3.

We have been taking the same line in conversations with diplomatic missions in London and with representatives of the UNHCR (FCO telegram No 173 to UKMIS Geneva).

4.

Our latest information is that the UNHCR's meeting on rescue at sea will take place on 14 August. This will provide an opportunity to reinforce our view that the Americans and others involved in the rescue ship idea (paragraph 4 of Hong Kong telegram No 1060).

2 August 1979

CC: MAED

HK&GD

CONFIDENTIAL

К

R F Flower

South-East Asian Department