TNAG-1788-FCO40-2548-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1988 — Page 118

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Mr Flesher

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Mr Spence Mr Hum HKD, FCO Mr Godfrey

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VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG: BRC PRESS CONFERENCE 27.9.88

I attach a copy of Lord Chitnis' letter of 23 September to the Home Secretary covering the refugee agencies proposals for a further resettlement commitment towards Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong together with a copy of the related press release. As you know there is to be a BRC press conference today (see details on press release).

The following brief "line to take" if you are contacted by the media has been agreed with colleagues in IND. Obviously it is not possible in the time between receipt of the proposals and the press conference to give a considered response across FCO and HO interests.

Line to take

The Government fully appreciates the very difficult position in Hong Kong and it is ready to consider all the available options. The Home Secretary will consider carefully, with other Ministerial colleagues as necessary, the proposals just put to him by the refugee agencies.

VSU

MRS BH FAIR

27 September 1988