TNAG-0898-FCO40-1108-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 231

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Mr D Ford

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Dear Chr. Ford,

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG

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We understand, via the FCO, that you see a need for further publicity to secure more resettlement places for Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong, and that you have funds available for journalists, from countries where resettlement may be offered, to visit Hong Kong.

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The Indo-Chinese refugee problem generally and Hond Kong's plight in particular have received good media coverage in New Zealand. We would expect this to continue, given the degree of public interest in this subject. I enclose a typical recent example of a press report about Hong Kong prompted by the visit of a Wellington City Councillor. You might see some merit in stimulating further articles of kind. The New Zealand High Commission in Hong Kong could doubt furnish you with the names of suitable visitors. While we do not rule out entirely a funded visit to Hong Kong by a New Zealand journalist we are doubtful if this would be the most effective use of your resources. Articles from the Observer Foreign News Service and Gemini are regularly syndicated in the New Zealand press, as they are in many other countries, and you might also wish to consider using this channel for further publicity.

3.

You may know that there is a strong campaign in Now Zealand demanding that the Government increase their quota for Indo-China refugees. This campaign is, of course, largely dependent on the media for its success. We think it would be undesirable and indeed counter-productive if/seen or thought to be associated with this lobby. Sir Jack Cater skilfully avoided this danger when he was here and was very successful in highlighting Hong Kong's plight. As a direct result, some extra places have been found for Hong Kong additional to an admittedly modest overall quota but in the face of determined lobbying by ASEAN countries. His visit was successful because he argued for an increase in the number of refugees taken from Hong Kong within New Zealand's existing quota ceilings - although the accompanying publicity was no doubt welcome to the increased-quota lobby. You will, I am sure, bear this in mind if you do decide to invite any New Zealand journalists to visit Hong Kong.

SPD