TNAG-1273-FCO40-1623-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 30

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3.

Radio Hong Kong recently reported, quoting Government

sources, that the British Ambassador in Hanoi is expected to lead a negotiation with the Vietnamese authorities on ways of

controlling the flow of boat people to Hong Kong. While the idea of the multilateral approach is intended to a large extent

to demonstrate to Hong Kong that their problem has not been

forgotten it is nevertheless unhelpful if there is premature

public speculation of this kind, and it could undermine the

effectiveness of any approach that is made to the Vietnamese. We should discourage it.

CLOSED CAMPS

4.

The Secretary of State agreed on 29 January that Hong

Kong's legislation should remain in force, although it is in breach of our human rights obligations. Hong Kong were informed of this by telegram on 2 February. The Legal Advisers have pointed out that the present rules for running the camps contravene human rights and obligations in several respects.

asked in this telegram if we could see draft revised rules

before they were introduced. Hong Kong have accepted the need to amend the present rules. We have still not seen the revised

draft rules.

We

RESETTLEMENT

I

5.

The Secretary of State minuted the Home Secretary seeking further concessions for Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong. Mr Whitelaw, however, replied that he could not agree to this.

This was explained to the Governor when Lord Belstead saw him on

10 March. You have since written to Mr Jeaffreson on 5 May explaining that in view of this we did not feel able at present to approach the Home Office to ask them once again to reconsider their decision not to take refugees from the Hong Kong registered ship M V Poyang.

6.

behalf

We can continue to lobby in Capitals on Hong Kong's

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recently for example in South America; also with major

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