TNAG-1790-FCO40-2550-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-resettlement-in-third-countri-1988 — Page 98

CONFIDENTIAL

2.

In our discussions with Dougal, we noted that the question of regional responses to the continuing outflow was likely to be discussed at the forthcoming ASEAN Post- Ministerial Conference (PMC) and that the United States, which was critical of recent developments in the region in relation to the application of the principle of first asylum, could take an active role on the issue at the PMC. We agreed to raise informally with Radio Australia the change in Hong Kong policy as a potentially newsworthy item."

Yours sincerely,

Penny

Windly

Mr G.T. Barnes, JP, Secretary for Security, Security Branch,

Government Secretariat,

6th Floor, Main & East Wings, Central Government Offices, Lower Albert Road, HONG KONG.

(P.A. Wensley)

Consul General.

CONFIDENTIAL