TNAG-1795-FCO40-2555-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation--including-Opera-1988 — Page 38

CONFIDENTIAL MissS +PA

655

For information

(28.6.88)

XCCI(88)41 Copy No.

NOTE FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

LOCAL AND OVERSEAS REACTION

MFD243/8

TO THE NEW POLICY ON VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE

16 AUG 1988

ons

INTRODUCTION

Members are asked to note the contents of this memorandum which has been prepared for their information. This memorandum reports the results to date of the diplomatic compaign to gain international acceptance/support of our new policy on Vietnamese boat people as well as local and overseas media and public reaction since its implementation on 16 June 1988.

BACKGROUND

2

On 7 June 1988, after XCSI(88)1, members noted, inter alia,

3

considering

memorandum

(a) the public relations and publicity efforts

which would be made locally, overseas and towards Vietnam; and

(b) the diplomatic effort aimed at obtaining support for the policy from key countries well as wider international acceptance.

as

On 14 June 1988, after considering memorandum XCS (88) 11, members approved the implementation of the new policy on Vietnamese boat people with effect from 0001 hours on 16 June 1988. In addition, Members asked that in the light of public reaction on the question of double standards, legislation should be proposed to provide for the replacement of the right of VIIS to appeal to the Governor-in-Council with a right of appeal to the Governor.

REACTION FROM UNHCR

The

press statement issued by UNHCR at Annex A following announcement of the new policy was widely covered by both the local and overseas media. In principle it supported the

measure of screening Vietnamese boat people but expressed reservation on the timing. It also welcomed the intention of Hong Kong Government

open up closed camps and hoped that this could be put into practice as

to

soon

4

A

CONFIDENTIAL