Disadvantages
Comment
CONFIDENTIAL
- 5
we would have no guarantee
that those who chose to leave would return to Vietnam and would not simply re-enter Hong Kong, or scuttle their boats.
subject to further study with
(g), an uncertain expedient; less costly than closed camps, but probably more open to criticism outside Hong Kong.
(g)
Repatriation to Vietnam; or the credible threat of it, coupled with detention under (b) or (d) pending removal there.
Advantages
Disadvantages
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Comment
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an effective deterrent, and very welcome to many sections of public opinion.
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Repatriation would be impossible not least on practical grounds unless the Vietnamese government agreed; and unacceptable to UNHCR and international opinion unless we had reliable guarantees that those returned would not be ill- treated.
So long as the Vietnamese government continue to tolerate a steady outflow, it is hard to see what reason they could have to agree to take people back.
The threat would only be potent once it had been carried out, even if only on a small group.
an unlikely starter, but it will be pursued with FCO.
/(h)
CONFIDENTIAL
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