TNAG-1180-FCO40-1482-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-into-the--1982 — Page 70

布政司署

香港下亞

畢道

本署檔號 OUR REF.; (126) in CR 2/4761/78

來函檔號 YOUR REF.:

done AF 145

1. Co. Her Stiga Font 2. BAR to me

done AF 12

Security Branch

F12.5

GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT

LOWER ALBERT ROAD

HONG KONG

75

see

82

(312)

P J Williamson Esq

Hong Kong & General Department

Foreign & Commonwealth Office

London SW1

ENGLAND

5th May 1982

HKK 243/1

Dear Pakrids

No

CGE

25/5 AR25/5

Vietnamese Refugees

-

Role of the BBC

81225/5

cre Noted

ссе

18/5

During the course of our many meetings with

visiting American delegations, Congressional groups and such like, the Voice of America (VOA) and the BBC are

often mentioned for the part they have (perhaps

unwittingly) played in adding to the so called 'pull factor' by publicising resettlement opportunities and so on.

2.

We are all now in the business of trying to get the message back to Vietnam that the resettlement heyday is a thing of the past and that there are now virtually no opportunities for resettlement anywhere. As you will no doubt know the Americans have now gone public on their more restrictive criteria and we are told that the VOA is helping to publicise the fact that the USA will only offer resettlement to those who can prove close ties with America.

3.

The question now is how can the BBC help to publicise the changed circumstances. I have discussed with Johnnie Johnston, GIS, who advises me that we have only a limited opportunity in Hong Kong to speak with BBC reporters and that the more correct and effective approach is for the FCO to approach the BBC in London.

Could you do this?

4.

When he was in Hong Kong in November last, I briefed Clive Syddall of the BBC on the refugee problem and he may be a suitable point at which to start your enquiries.

/........ 5.