TNAG-1795-FCO40-2555-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation--including-Opera-1988 — Page 77

CONFIDENTIAL

MKD 24318

Mr Williams, UND

orver

-FROM: DATE:

CC:

file

648

CO Hum, Hong Kong Dept

11 August 1988

PS/Lord Glenarthur PS/Mr Eggar

Mr Gillmore

Mr Slater

Mr McLaren

Mr Colvin, SEAD

Mr Machin, DRU, ODA News Dept

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE

1.

Thank you for your minute of 8 August, suggesting that we should give the British Refugee Council (BRC) a briefing on the current position and recent developments in Hong Kong.

2.

I can well understand the potential benefits of action to brief the BRC and keep them on side.

I should

be happy to take part in a briefing, perhaps next week where

we have reached a clearer joint assessment of the way ahead following the recent talks in Hanoi. Would you wish to be involved? If so you might ask Mr Phillips to call on us: I would be happy to take the lead in giving the briefing.

COHAEY

CO Hum

CONFIDENTIAL