TNAG-1793-FCO40-2553-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation--including-Opera-1988 — Page 175

Miss

CONFIDENTIAL

di tan

News/ LEEN 1410

Mr Hum HKD

;

13 JUN 1988

C4%

We would have Is offer a statement in Mr Hum, HKD the House of Lards; and Lad Senatus thinks the Sffe might well be accepted.

33

(Pillows Shenarths) « as

13/6

helav.

Vietnamese Boat People in Hong Kong: Announcement to Parliament

The Secretary of State has read your submission of

9 June. He is sure that it would be taken badly in Hong Kong if the announcement was made here first. Simultaneous announcements do not seem feasible. He agrees that we should aim for an announcement to Parliament as soon as possible after the announcement in Hong Kong. If the timetable works, he would like to make an oral statement.

The Secretary of State feels that the draft answer attached to your submission is too reassuring. He would not wish the Vietnamese to get mixed signals. He would like to see something along the lines of "This means that, with effect from today, all boat people arriving in Hong Kong from Vietnam must expect to be sent back. The only possible exceptions may be ...".

13 June 1988

CC:

PS/Lord Glenarthur

Mr McLaren

News Department

SEAD

UND

PRU

HVCD 243/8

ни)

вве

(R N Peirce)

CONFIDENTIAL