TNAG-1421-FCO40-1904-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1985 — Page 152

85-10-17 13:34

28404 HKGOVT Gui 28404 HKGOVT G 931BROADCAST B 61750 HONREP B

4 RTT REF NR 03 235

290

17.10.85

B748

FOR JEAFFRESON, SECRETARY FOR SECURITY FROM: WOODHOUSE, BRUSSELS OFFICE

(RPTD: NEW YORK, WASHINGTON, LONDON (PLEASE COPY TO LEEKS

AT FCO), GENEVA (PLEASE COPY TO ADAMS AT UKMIS))

EXCOM DISCUSSIONS: DICK SMYSER, DEPUTY HIGH COMMISSIONER

I WENT RUNNING WITH SMYSER ONE MORNING AT HIS SUGGESTION. WE MANAGED TO TALK (FITFULLY) ABOUT REFUGEES.

1.

HE SAID THAT HE HAD BEEN TALKING TO THE AMERICANS AUSTRALIANS AND CANADIANS. THEY WERE PLEASED WITH THE UK DECISION TO TAKE 550 FAMILY REUNION CASES. IT CLEARED THE AIR. HE SAID THAT FELDMAN HAD BEEN WORKING ON THE EUROPEANS. SMYSER SAID THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE TO KEEP UP THE MOMENTUM AND INTEREST ARISING FROM EXCOM AND MY FLURRY OF LOBBYING. HE SAID

TOUCH WITH FELDMAN, WHO NEEDED THAT WE SHOULD KEEP IN CLOSE PRODDING, SMYSER SAID THAT HE WORKED WELL WITH THE AMBASSADOR AND ADAMS AND IF WE THOUGHT THAT HIS INTERVENTION WOULD HELP, WE SHOULD FEEL FREE TO LET HIM KNOW.

Felelmam lethane

I

THEN

HE TALKED ALSO ABOUT THE SEARCH FOR A NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER (WHICH IS A TOPIC OF CONSIDERABLE INTEREST HERE). HE SAID THAT THE MATTER WAS NOW BEING CONSIDERED IN NEW YORK. I DID NOT COMMENT.

3.

BUT WE MUST GUARD AGAINST SMYSER SEEMS TO BE WILLING TO HELP, ANTAGONISING OTHERS BY GOING OVER THEIR HEADS. NEVERTHELESS, HE WILL PROVE TO BE A USEFUL ALLY.

if

28404 MKGOVT G

931BROADCAST B