TNAG-1745-FCO40-2464-Visits-by-FCO-officials-to-Hong-Kong--including-visit-by-Lor-1988 — Page 82

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8. I HAVE NOW SEEN FOR MYSELF HOW THE NEW POLICY IS

BEING IMPLEMENTED.

I HAVE BEEN GREATLY IMPRESSED BY

THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS SET UP SINCE 16 JUNE AND THE

DEDICATION AND PROFESSIONALISM OF THE STAFF INVOLVED.

IT IS OF COURSE TOO EARLY TO ASSESS THE EFFECT ON THE

NUMBERS OF ARRIVALS.

BUT THOSE THINKING OF SETTING OFF

FOR HONG KONG FROM VIETNAM TO IMPROVE THEIR ECONOMIC

SITUATION SHOULD CLEARLY UNDERSTAND ONE THING: HOWEVER

LONG IT TAKES THEY WILL BE SENT BACK TO THEIR OWN

COUNTRY.

IT IS NO GOOD THEIR THINKING THAT HONG KONG

IS ANY LONGER A STAGING POST TO A NEW LIFE ELSEWHERE.

9. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN VERY ACTIVE IN

EXPLAINING THE NEW POLICY, SECURING SUPPORT FOR IT, AND

BRINGING INTERNATIONAL PRESSURE TO BEAR ON VIETNAM.

THE FOREIGN SECRETARY HAS SPOKEN PERSONALLY TO THE

VIETNAMESE, SOVIET AND CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTERS.

AND

AS I'VE SAID, I HAVE DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM IN MY TALKS

IN PEKING. WE HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP THE PRESSURE ON THE

VIETNAMESE IN LONDON AND HANOI, TO URGE THEM TO TAKE

BACK THEIR ECONOMIC MIGRANTS.

ONE THING IS CERTAIN:

THE KEY TO A LASTING SOLUTION LIES FIRST AND FOREMOST

WITH VIETNAM.

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