TNAG-0971-FCO40-1190-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-in-the-UK-1980 — Page 195

ment House

Minutes of A Meeting Held At Government Original at: 40267 CONFIDENTIAL

Thi Copy for:

Information only / Action on Farm(s)

In H.K. (23)

HKK 24312

-

2 -

COMAR

BISTRY

was noted this would requite deferral of the normal UbCo elections due in March 981 INDEX

Мо

PA

Au 246

4 Mr Clift asked to be kept informed of each step of drafting.

GARRISON

İZLE WERKENA

5 Secretary for Security cutlined the position on Defence Costs Agreement and requested Mr Clift's assistance in persuading the MOD to be more specific in the r allegations regarding an underestimation of costs before the Hong Kong team left for london. The aim should be

for the team to come back with a draft of the revised DCA.

61 S for S noted that ther was likely to be a significant weakening of the garrison during the critical "swimming season" with the departure of the paratroopers at the end Of April, together with two Companies of the 10h Gurkhas. This situation would continue until two new Gurha Companies emerged from training in August. It was agreed that HKG

should give notice to London of its intention to review the position in March.

REFUGEES

+

7. Mr Rossborough, UNHCR, had pointed out that the United Kingdom off-take in January and February was lower than in December. Mr Clift agreed to take this

up with the Home Office.

LEASES

8. Mr Clift asked whether any assistance was in the Governor's present ialogue with Mr Cradock, or

required whether there were any visits imminent for which a line needed to be agreed. The Governor stated that part from the Financial Secretary's visit to China there was only one visit in the near future. Foregn Minister, Huang Hua, who would transit ong Kong

This was by the Chinese 19/20 March. It was agreed that all that was needed was a follow-up of Mrs Thatcher's remarks reminding the Chinese that the problem existed, was not urgent, but it had to be faced eventually. question of representation he might be asked whether

If Huang raised the this as linked in his mind with the lease problem. The risk that he would infer a coupling of the Issues

by HMO was worth the price of a package subsequently emerged.

It was agreed that the 1979 initiative had been a worthwhile risk, but no new one should be made until the saccessor regime was firmly established.

9. I the meantime it was agreed that Mr Clif

should

/ seek

CONFILL

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