TNAG-1788-FCO40-2548-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-general-1988 — Page 52

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FROM: R C L Footman

Hong Kong Department

DATE: 19 October 1988

Mr Ham

Mr McLaren

Thank 7th

2x

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG

1. You asked what action could be taken on the highlighted passage of the enclosed copy of the 15 October Daily Telegraph editorial.

2. UNHCR act as observers in the screening of Laotians in Thailand and assist in appeals. They do not make decisions. Their involvement is not as elaborate as in Hong Kong.

3.

News Department took this up with Mr Scott-Plummer on

15 October, on the lines that UNHCR were closely involved in the screening process in Hong Kong and would be closely involved in any

repatriation programme. Mr Scott-Plummer said that he knew this. He had already pointed it out to those who had written the

editorial, without consulting him.

ROBAOE

Judith Stater

PP

R C L Footman

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