TNAG-1795-FCO40-2555-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation--including-Opera-1988 — Page 259

ROBAMC

CONFIDENTIAL

CALL ON THE SECRETARY OF STATE BY HMA HANOI, 26 JULY

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE

Points to Make

Welcome Vietnam's initiative to hold bilateral discussions. we are approaching talks with caution and some scepticism. interpretation of Vietnamese motives?

But

Your

Vietnam has said only willing to accept voluntary repatriation. How difficult will it be to move them on this?

as

Vietnamese have made it clear they envisage economic assistance for returnees, and for areas from which they originally came, part of any package. Would not exclude modest amounts of aid, channelled through UNHCR, as part of an acceptable overall

package.

CONFIDENTIAL