BILATERAL MEETING UK/VIETNAM 15 DECEMBER 1988: 11.45 AM
SPEAKING NOTE
Welcome the continuing dialogue with the Vietnamese since the
discussions in Hanoi in August and London in October. Made
much progress. Come to Geneva in the hope that we can
continue to move forward.
Vital next step is to make an immediate start on phased
returns to Vietnam of those who have applied to return if possible before end of year. Thereafter we must proceed with the comprehensive arrangements for Vietnamese boat people arriving in Hong Kong after 15 June 1988 who do not qualify for resettlement, as we agreed in London. Welcome fact that UNHCR/Vietnam MOU has been signed here in Geneva during these
talks.
This paves way for agreement on British/Vietnamese MOU on the repatriation of Vietnamese from Hong Kong.
Draft British/Vietnamese MOU
On 7 December British Ambassador in Hanoi handed Mr Tin a copy of revised draft text of an agreement between our two
governments on repatriation to Vietnam of Vietnamese boat people in Hong Kong. We should conclude and sign the text
soon. Embassy in Hanoi will take this work forward.
if you would give it your urgent attention.
Reintegration Assistance
Grateful
British assistance for repatriation/ reintegration will be channelled via UNHCR. During the second round of talks in London, we made clear that we were ready in principle to extend financial assistance towards the organisation of
repatriation to, and resettlement in, Vietnam. We are clear that UNHCR is the right body to implement that agreement on
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