TNAG-1796-FCO40-2556-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation--including-Opera-1988 — Page 285

CODE 18-77

AWO Ltd.

7/84

Mr Thorne

Peter Millet

apreces

with 7.6. cu This-12

mationes it loud weak.

Reference..

N221 M Annan

2. PA

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG

OR

JMS 1518

773) та

NIT.

1. We have seen a copy of Mr Hewitt's (UKMIS Geneva) letter of 29 July to you about pursuing the boat people problem in an EXCOM decision. Whilst we can see the risks of setting

a precedent for other issues, and the importance of taking account of the views of other places of first asylum

(and UNHCR), we hope that this idea will not be dropped altogethe just yet. Pace Mr Hewitt's paragraph 3, the Vietnamese position has softened to the extent that they have at last recognised that a problem exists and that it must be discussed. But during the course of the HKG/HMG talks Hanoi the Vietnamese side appeared to back-track from the slightly more forthcoming position they adopted in discussion with UNHCR representatives on the question of non-voluntary repatriation.

2.

Maintaining pressure in the Vietnamese will need careful handling if it is not to be counter-productive and if we are to keep on side with all the other interested parties. EXCOM might still provide a suitable forum in which to coordinate our approach. Perhaps we could look at this again in the light of developments, not least the outcome of Malaysia's meeting in Hanoi later this month and arrangements for the next round of our own talks.

HKD 243/8

STRY

X2 AUG 1988

Ņ

REGISTRY

Lion Taken

Agodina

A Godson

South East Asian Department

15 August 1988

CC Miss Slater, HKD

BU

31/8

N

2418

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