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7. Finally, I asked Hirdman if he could explain why Leifland (PUS in the Swedish MFA) had said in his talks with the PUS in London on 11 July that at Geneva "Vietnam must be condemned for its present policy. The Swedish representative would have sharp words on this", since it did not seem to me that Blix's speech contained any sharp words. On the contrary said Hirdman, against the background of Sweden's previous unremitting support for Vietnam some of Blix's phrases were quite sharp e.g. he had referred to a "dangerous and inhumane exodus from Vietnam". On re-reading Blix's speech I remain baffled that anybody could call this bland presentation "sharp" in any sense of the word. It just goes to show how different are British and Swedish perceptions of anything to do with Vietnam.
8. I have reported separately by telegram on representations I made to Hirdman in pursuance of instructions in FCO telno 355 to Canberra about resettlement of refugees now in Hong Kong.
cc: D Gladstone Esq, WED, FCO
RJT McLaren Esq, HK&GD, FCO
Chanceries:
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UKMIS Geneva
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Political Adviser, Hong Kong
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D J Wyatt
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