TNAG-1793-FCO40-2553-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation--including-Opera-1988 — Page 176

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FROM: APS/Lord Glenarthur DATE: 13 June 1988

cc: Mr Gillmore Mr Hum, HKD UND

News Dept

Mr McLaren

Mr Colvin, SEAD

INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES: MINISTERIAL CONTACT WITH THE VIETNAMESE EMBASSY

1. Lord Glenarthur has seen your submission of 9 June and Mr McLaren's minute of the same date regarding the possibility of briefing the Vietnamese Ambassador on our impending policy change over arrivals of boat people in Hong Kong.

2. Lord Glenarthur agrees with Mr McLaren that another meeting involving a Minister, so soon after the Secretary of State's meeting in New York, may send the wrong signal to the Vietnamese. He would prefer to keep a meeting with the Ambassador in reserve

for the moment but would be ready to consider meeting him after his return from Hong Kong in July.

(It may be that we will wish to consider saying something publicly in Hong Kong about the policy change).

13 June 1988

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APS/Lord Glenarthur