TNAG-1797-FCO40-2557-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation--including-Opera-1988 — Page 93

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PS/Lord Glenarthur 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.

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 Cowl

Robert Court

PS/Lord Glenarthur

20 October 1988

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