TNAG-1792-FCO40-2552-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation--including-Opera-1988 — Page 12

CONFIDENTIAL

8.

While I am in Hong Kong I will come under strong

pressure from the media and from members of ExCo and LegCo to explain how Britain intends to respond to the present crisis. I attach in an annex to this minute the line which

I would propose to take in response to the key questions. The line on resettlement does not amount to any explicit

new commitment above and beyond the 468 which we are currently taking. I am sure it is the least that I could say in Hong Kong under the present circumstances.

9. I am, copying this minute to Douglas Hurd and to

Sir Robin Butler.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

17 May 1988

CONFIDENTIAL

بیه

(GEOFFREY HOWE)