TNAG-1531-FCO40-2095-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1987 — Page 126

5.

Confidential

MY DISCUSSIONS ON THE DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT WERE OF A PRELIMINARY NATURE. THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE LIKELY TO BEGIN IN THE SPRING AND I EXPECT THEM TO BE CONCLUDED BEFORE THE END OF 1987. THEY WILL OF COURSE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ANY CHANGES IN THE SIZE

OF THE BRITISH GARRISON IN HONG KONG BETWEEN NOW AND 1997.

DECISIONS ON THIS HAVE YET BEEN TAKEN.

6.

NO

ON VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, I MADE CLEAR TO MINISTERS THE IMPORTANCE THAT HONG KONG ATTACHES TO A STEADY OFF-TAKE OF REFUGEES FROM THE TERRITORY SO THAT THE NUMBERS HERE CONTINUE

TO FALL. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS CURRENTLY REVIEWING ITS POLICY AND WILL STATE ITS POSITION ON COMPLETION OF THAT REVIEW. HOWEVER, I WAS ASSURED THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO HELPING HONG KONG OVERCOME OUR PROBLEMS.

ENDS

YOUDE

YYYY

HMLNAN 5150

LIMITED

нко FED

NEWS D SEAD UND

COPIES TO'.

MR RM. Miras 3 HOME OFFICE, MR T FLESHER CONAR HISE

PRV

OEF D Mro

PS / MR RENTON MR GILLMORE

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