CONFIDENTIAL
TMKD 243/15 (3
RECHE
26SEPK
OMS
131365
MDHOAN 5245
TOP COPY Q DIST 7
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HANOI
TELNO 220
OF 23150OZ SEPTEMBER 88
INFO PRIORITY HONG KONG
4
YOUR TELNO 238: BOAT PEOPLE: BILATERAL TALKS
1.
WE HAVE CAREFULLY WEIGHED UP THE ADVICE IN YOUR TUR. BUT WE HAVE CONCLUDED THAT WE SHOULD NEVERTHELESS MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO
PERSUADE THE VIETNAMESE TO PAY THEIR OWN WAY. WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL
IF IN PROPOSING DATES FOR THE TALKS TO THE VIETNAMESE,
,
DELEGATION WHILE
COULD MAKE IT CLEAR THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR NORMAL PRACTICE HMG WOULD NOT EXPECT TO PAY FOR THE THEY ARE IN LONDON.
/
2. IF THE VIETNAMESE RAISE THE QUESTION OF RECIPROCITY YOU SHOULD EXPLAIN THAT OUR DELEGATION IN THE FIRST ROUND OF TALKS HAD WANTED TO PAY THEIR OWN WAY IN HANOI.
THEY REMAIN READY TO MEET THE COSTS INCURRED ON THAT VISIT.
3. IF THE VIETNAMESE WERE TO ARGUE THAT THEY COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THEIR ACCOMMODATION IN LONDON, YOU SHOULD EXPLAIN THAT IT IS QUITE USUAL FOR VISITING DELEGATIONS TO STAY WITH THEIR EMBASSIES ON SUCH OCCASIONS. BRITISH OFFICIALS TRAVELLING OVERSEAS FREQUENTLY STAY WITH COLLEAGUES FOR CONVENIENCE AND ECONOMY. THE VIETNAMESE COULD DO SO TOO ON THIS OCCASION.
4.
IF IT SEEMED CLEAR THAT THE QUESTION OF ACCOMMODATION WAS BECOMING AN OBSTACLE TO THE TALKS TAKING PLACE AS PLANNED, THEN WE WOULD HAVE TO THINK AGAIN. BUT WE SHOULD FIRST MAKE A SERIOUS EFFORT TO GET THE VIETNAMESE TO CONFORM WITH USUAL PRACTICE. ONCE ESTABLISHED, THE PRINCIPLE OF RECIPROCAL HOSPITALITY COULD BE A VERY
HOWE
EXPENSIVE PRECEDENT.
YYYY
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CONFIDENTIAL
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