alos at: HK 062/1 HKX062/1
HKK341|1
241
GPS 202
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG 041045Z DEC 80
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
CONFIDENTIAL
No MSS.
TELEGRAM NUMBER 1606 OF 4 DECEMBER
INFO IMMEDIATE MODUK
12
INFO PRIORITY PEKING
INFO ROUTINE HONG KONG GOVT OFFICE LONDON
CONTROL OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
IN JUNE WE FLOATED WITH THE NCNA A SUGGESTION THAT WE SHOULD STATION A POLICE OR NAVAL VESSEL ABOUT THREE MILES WEST OF LANTAU ISLAND (IE IN CHINESE WATERS) TO WATCH FOR POTENTIAL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT BOATS PARTICULARLY THOSE FROM MACAU. THE VESSEL WOULD ONLY BE ON STATION ABOUT 10 NIGHTS A MONTH AND ITS ACTIVITIES WOULD BE LIMITED TO RADAR SURVEILLANCE. SUSPECT BOATS WOULD ONLY BE INTERCEPTED ONCE THEY HAD REACHED HONG KONG
WATERS.
2. THE NCNA HAVE NOW TOLD US THE CHINESE HAVE AGREED TO THIS PROPOSAL. THIS FORTHCOMING RESPONSE PROBABLY TIES IN WITH WHAT THEY HAVE TOLD US ABOUT THEIR OWN INADEQUATE NAVAL PATROL
FACILITIES.
3. WE PROPOSE TO STATION A NAVAL VESSEL IN THE AREA FOR THE FIRST TIME ON THE NIGHT OF 8 DECEMBER. WE WILL GIVE THE CHINESE THE PRECISE LOCATION AND, ON THIS FIRST OCCASION, THE TIMING OF THE DEPLOYMENT.
4. A REASONABLY ACCURATE STORY ON THIS APPEARED IN TODAY'S SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST. SO FAR WE HAVE RESPONDED TO PRESS ENQUIRIES BY SAYING ONLY THAT WE DO NOT COMMENT ON THE OPERATIONAL DETAILS OF SECURITY MEASURES.
MACLEHOSE
LIMITED
HK ~GD
FED
SEAD
PS/MR BLAKER SIRE YOUDE
MR DONALD
COPIES TO :
HONG KONG GOVT Office
LONDON
UND
DEF. D
INFO.D NEWS. D
!
CONFIDENTIAL
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