TNAG-1795-FCO40-2555-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation--including-Opera-1988 — Page 45

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

CONFIDENTIAL

機密

Reactions to New Policy

from Governments briefed by Embassies

Annex B-

Country

Date briefed

Reaction

Japan

8 June-

Australia

8 June

17 June

21 June

USA

8 June

Canada

17 June

8 June

21 June

Expressed understanding; willingness to state support

publicly; undertook to approach NHK to give publicity on services beamed at Vietnam; offered to try to persuade Vietnamese government to accept repatriation of

-

non-refugees. Intended to relax criteria. Unlikely to lead to substantial increase in resettlement.

Sympathetic but doubtful of policy's efficacy. In favour of "humane deterrence" with safeguards to protect interests of genuine

refugees. Undertook to speak to Radio Australia.

Confirmed public statement, if asked, would be: Support screening process and working towards repatriation under appropriate conditions to Vietnam of those who do not meet refugee criteria.

Public support of Hong Kong's change. of policy.

Expressed understanding, though cautious on public expression. Particular doubts on wording of

message given to arrivals.

Undertook to brief Voice of America.

Press guidance issued by State Department support in principle but somewhat equivocal.

Expressed support for introduction of screening. Cautious on public statement.

Indicated they wished publicly to support new policy, but cautious because of UNHCR's reservations.

CONFIDENTIAL

機密

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