TNAG-1788-FCO40-2548-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1988 — Page 50

CODE 18-77

Miss Connolly Protocol Departemnt

Reference

Mr Fatman or (190)

MED 243/5.

& NOV 1988

тал

+ PA

VIETNAMESE EMBASSY

1. The Vietnamese Ambassador called on Mr McLaren at his request on 19 October, principally to discuss Cambodia. The Ambassador began by referring to an attempt by a group of Vietnamese to demostrate outside his Embassy last Sunday. Tran Van Hung said that "our friends in the police" succeeded in keeping them away and the attempt was abandoned. The Ambassador speculated that they were intending to demonstrate against negotiations between HMG and the Vietnamese Government on how to resolve the boat people problem. Mr McLaren replied that it underlined the need for both Governments to deal with the humanitarian aspects of the boat people issue with great care. The discussion then moved onto other matters.

2. It was clear that the Ambassador was pleased with the way the police handled this incident (something of a non-event).

21 October 1988

cc: E T Davies Esq CMG

Hanoi

Mr Footman,

Hong Kong Dept

AGordian

A Godson SEAD

WH MZ 31A

270 2450