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said that there is no point in raising this possibility
with the Vietnamese Government because they would not.
be willing to discuss it. This may no longer be the
case. When the last British Ambassador in Hanoi paid
a farewell call on the Vietnamese Foreign Minister,
Mr. Co Thach; he told the Ambassador that a British
representative would be welcome in Hanoi both to discuss
the HK refugee problem as well as a general exchange
A
of views. Co Thach repeated his offer of talks several
times and the Ambassador commented that while he
realised there were problems and risks in any HK/Vietnam
exchanges, it would be worthwhile exploring Co Thach's
offer further. Deputy Commissioner, UNHCR (referred
to in paragraph 13 above) was a little too categoric
in his unsolicited report that Co Thach had told him
Vietnam would never take refugees back. The wish
being the father of the thought perhaps.
16.
Transporting the VRS back would be difficult.
But the practical difficulties would simply have to
یر
be overcome:
17.
If the talks with the Vietnamese failed on.
involuntary repatriation they might at least end in
some sensible arrangement for voluntary repatriation.
(d)
Turn away new arrivals
18.
One of the options available to us is to turn
away arrivals in Hong Kong as is done by China, Macau
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