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Private Secretary
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Secretary State
20 OCT 1988
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lenarthur
PS/Lord
20 October 1988
PS/All Ministers PS/PUS
Mr Caines
Mr Gillmore
Mr McLaren
Mr Slater
Mr Manning
Mr Machin
Mr Burns, News Dept
Mr Hum, Hong Kong Dept Mr Colvin, SEAD
Mr Williams, UND Mr Graham-Harrison
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG
1.
891
Lord Glenarthur has seen a copy of PS/Mr Patten's minute of 17 October giving Mr Patten's views on policy towards Vietnamese Boat People in Hong Kong. Lord Glenarthur agrees with many of the points made by Mr Patten.
2. As has been made clear in previous minuting, no-one relishes the policy upon which we are embarked. But Lord Glenarthur is now satisfied that there is literally no other way forward.
3.
Lord Glenarthur agrees fully that we need to do all we can to minimise criticism in the UK of our policy. It is, as Mr Patten has remarked, essential that UNHCR are put up front, both on verifying how returnees are treated in Vietnam and on the channelling of repatriation assistance. We may also be able to deflect criticism by continuing to play the maximum part possible in resettling those eligible in this country
(and pressing for resettlement in other countries).
Robert Court:
Robert Court
PS/Lord Glenarthur
20 October 1988
RESTRICTED
893
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