TNAG-1534-FCO40-2098-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation-1986 — Page 57

CONFIDENTIAL

some kind of understanding is perhaps reached with the Vietnamese Government yet, in practice, practical obstacles are put in the way of the resettlement of individuals. The heat would then be off other resettlement countries to accept refugees because of the understanding with Vietnam. Yet in practice only a trickle would

return.

5.

In practice the Vietnamese position in Hanoi is likley to be harder than Mr Man's. Mr Tallboy's comments, quoted in Mr Jeaffreson's teleletter to you of 6 May, show imprisonment "re-education" to be the normal punishment for those who return to Vietnam after leaving illegally.

The above refers to voluntary repatriation. Involuntary repatriation would of course throw up a host of other problems.

C.C.W. Adams

C C W Adams

South East Asian Department

CONFIDENTIAL