TNAG-0896-FCO40-1106-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 324

CODE 18-77

UNCLASSIFIED

Reference

Mr CS Stitt, SEAD (W83A)

AKK243/

PA.

1523

плачувати

R2718

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES: M V RUDDBANK

1.

This is to confirm as I Adhg you an

he telephone, that further discussion with Capinhos has brought to light an error in paragraph one of my earlier minute today.

2.

Hong Kong will in fact allow Ruddbank to anchor as the Sibonga did 2 miles off Potoi Island where the doctor etc will go on board. The vessel is not being allowed into Hong Kong waters. Captain Mossop has asked me to say that the ship will not hang around in Hong Kong as the Sibonga did. After a day or two at the most she will continue her voyage- even if the refugees are still aboard. The company still very much hope they can all be landed in Hong Kong. They cannot however afford to have the vessel idle for several weeks.

3. The group were apparently rescued on 4 August after 11 days at sea. Their leader is a former naval officer. The oldest is 50 years. 37 speak English. Captain Mossop will send the masters list round this afternoon.

6 August 1979

Abeywers!

CC Hayward

Far Eastern Department (K251)

233 5528

CC:

Mr P Morgan, UND (K152)

Mr Masefield, FED

Mr McLaren, HK&GD (K243)

A

UNCLASSIFIED