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returned almost immediately after capture or after they have surfaced if they have initially evaded defection. Only very rare exceptions are made where there is clear political justification.
f) this would be the concluding section which would analyse in factual terms the differences in the circumstances and different factors needing consideration as regards Vietnamese refugees and Chinese illegal immigrants into Hong Kong. It should mention in passing the practical difficulties in any programme of involuntary repatriation into Vietnam. The section might also briefly deal with the differences in the practice of the Thai and other South East Asian governments and Hong Kong's practice in dealing with refugees, as well as the different considerations applying to the refugees in those countries.
3. The part of the paper described in sub para d would of course have to be drafted in consultation with other RD sections. However, it would be best if the section could be kept fairly brief, citing other cases as examples rather than attempting a detailed or comprehensive analysis. Examples, which might include one or two celebrated individual cases, but would mainly be of group repatriations, should be of cases which aroused
parliamentary or public interest in the UK. On Hong Kong aspects, consultation with HKD and FE Section will also be necessary, of course.
A.
I think that the assessment of the pros and cons of involuntary repatriation of Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong and of open discussion of this question (eg in an international conference) would best be dealt with in a separate covering paper. This seems to me a matter for SEAD with HKD, taking account of the conclusions in your own paper.
5.
SEAD have confirmed that a paper on the lines set out in paras 1-3 above would meet their requirements, and I should be grateful if you would begin work on it and aim to have a draft ready for passing to SEAD at the beginning of September. If necessary, gaps could be left for points (eg historical ones) on which it has not been possible to complete the necessary research.
6.
I am copying this minute to RD Section Heads with the request that they should send Miss Kazer (in your absence on leave) information as in para 2d (and as in 2e in the case of FE Section). I should be most grateful if Sections could let Miss Kazer have such information by 4 August.
N.JMe
K C Walker Asian Region
RD
OAB 2/126 210 6220
24 July 1986
CC
Mr Nash SEAD,
Mr Leeks HKD,
Section Heads, RD
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