TNAG-0898-FCO40-1108-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 144

gps

GPS 150

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FA SUENOS AIRES 16/1935 Z CCT 79

TO FAVE FOO

TEL

329 OF 15 OCTOBER 1972

НКК 240

243/1

18 OCT 1979

AND TO ROUTINE HONG KONG BANGKOK HONG KONG.GOVT. OFEJCE·LONDON

CKPIS CENEVA

PA

1682

A J

HONG KONG TELNO 2 TO BUENOS AIRES

KONG

I

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES EX HONG

1. WE HAVE KEPT IN TOUCH WITH THE ARGENTINE GOVERNMENT AND THE LOCAL

CFFICE OF UNHCR,

2. THE HONG KONG REFUGEES HAVE NOW MOVED ON TO THEIR DESTIPATIGR

IN THE PROVINCES, ALTHOUGH THE DIFFERENCE OF OPINION WHICH GAVE

RIDE TO DIFFICULTIES IS STILL NOT ENTIRELY CETTLED. AT THIS STAVE,

ANY REQUEST FROM THE ARGENTIVES P^R QUOTE REPATRIATION"UNQUOTE

THEREFORE LOOKS UNLIKELY.

$

3. THE HONG KONG REFUGEES' ATTITUDE CONTRASTS 'SHARPLY IN THE

ARGENTINE OFFICIAL MIND WITH THAT OF REFUGEES FROM THAILAND.

ARGENTINE AUTHORITIES ARE AT PRESENT CONTINUING SELECTION WORK IN BANGKOK, BUT SHOW NO SIGN OF SEEKING REFUGEES ELSEWHERE AT PRESENT.

OUR ADVICE, BASED ON DISCUSSION WITH UNHCR, IS TO LET THE MATTER LIE FOR SOME WEEKS. ONCE THE ARGENTINES HAVE HAD SOME EXPERIENCE IN DEALING WITH A STEADY FLOW OF REFUGEES, THEY MAY BE READIER

THAN AT PRESENT TO CONSIDER A FURTHER CONTINGENT FROM HONG KONG.

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FILES

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EZ & GD

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TEN

DID

2030

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IPD

ADDICIONAL DISTRIBUTION

BOAS PROPLE

COPIES

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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE

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26/MR BIJAKER

FO/PUS

DLR A DUET

MR COENZZI

VR EK PRAX

MA SAPANION LORD NG TIMIOX

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LONDON