TNAG-1794-FCO40-2554-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation--including-Opera-1988 — Page 13

SUYAAF

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EPC MINISTERIAL MEETING: ATHENS 18 JULY

BRIEF NO 9: VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE

Objectives

нко 243/8

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

14 JUL 1988

DESK OFFICTI

INDEX

1.

To press the Twelve to make an early demarche to Vietnam.

Points to make

521

Welcome Vietnam's offer to discuss the problem with places of first asylum and UNHCR. We believe the proposed demarche by the Twelve will help to maintain pressure on Vietnam to take the talks seriously and urgently. UK has circulated draft text. Hope partners can agree this so that early action can be taken.

[If necessary]

Cannot

We and Hong Kong are taking up Vietnam's offer of talks. expect quick results. Vietnamese objectives may well be quite different to ours. [If pressed] We will focus on the practicalities of repatriation and control of illegal departures from Vietnam.

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