TNAG-1793-FCO40-2553-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation--including-Opera-1988 — Page 259

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Mr Colvin, SEAD

Mr Williams, UND

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG: IMPLEMENTATION DATE

1. The Secretary of State has asked whether it would be possible to

bring forward the date of implementation of the new policy of screening on arrival, now that it has been approved by Ministers.

2. We have consulted the Governor. He agrees that an earlier

implementation date would have advantages. But he does not think that this could be done in practice. There is a tight timetable for

advance briefing of the UNHCR and of other governments with an

interest in the issue. There is a considerable amount of pratical

preparation to be done in Hong Kong. Another important factor is

the desirablility of the announcement being made at the next Legco

meeting, which is due to take place on 15 June.

3. I attach a piece of paper setting out the planned timetable for action before implementation and elaborating on the points in the

preceding paragraph. I think the conclusion must be that there is realistically no scope for the new policy to be announced and

implemented earlier than planned. Earlier announcement would leave

loose ends which could seriously affect both international

presentation and practical implementation.

CONFIDENTIAL

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