TNAG-1793-FCO40-2553-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation--including-Opera-1988 — Page 171

In taking this decision we are sending the clearest

possible signal to those in Vietnam who may have purely

economic motives for contemplating unauthorised departure by sea. They must understand that this is a voyage that can only lead to detention in Hong Kong and ultimately to

their return to their own country.

Her Majesty's Government are pressing for arrangements

with the Vietnamese authorities to enable those who are

found not to be genuine refugees to be sent back to Vietnam

under suitable guarantees about the treatment they will

receive. In New York on 7 June I urged the Vietnamese

Foreign Minister to take steps to reduce unauthorised departures and to take back those who have no prospect of resettlement

elsewhere. I saw the Chinese and Soviet Foreign Ministers

in New York and stressed the gravity of the problem of the

boat people with both of them.

This is not of course a complete solution. There is

economic prices, a limit to what can be done until circumstances and official

and other circumstances attitudes/change in Vietnam itself. We are now in touch with all the resettlement countries, UNHCR and the countries

of the region about the change of policy and the way forward.

We are impressing upon the international community the need

for concerted action to deal with the problem at source and

to find a lasting solution to this human tragedy. Her

Majesty's Government will devote their unceasing efforts

to this end.