TNAG-1893-FCO40-2687-Visit-by-Francis-Maude--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1989 — Page 41

CONFIDENTIAL

(iv) Hong Kong to proceed with

final identification of

candidates for first

deportation.

(v) Hong Kong to provide HMG

with careful assessment of

likelihood that first

deportation exercise will

succeed.

(vi) 30 October

First deportation.

(c) Timetable after First Deportation

(i) It is not impossible to predict a timetable for future deportations of VBPS after the first has taken place, even if

that were to be on 30 October. Under the terms of the

agreement we signed with Vietnam on 26 June, "the process (of deportations) will continue with such modifications as both

sides consider necessary". And, in the Agreed Minute we hope

to sign with the Vietnamese at SC3 on 16-17 October, we will

commit ourselves after the first deportation to further

discussions with the Vietnamese before future deportations take

place. No dates have been fixed for these discussions and no proposal for talks is likely until the first deportations have

taken place.

(ii) Neither it is possible to predict how long these

discussions might last before further deportations can take place. Depending on the outcome of the first deportation, both sides may suggest changes to the procedures adopted on that occasion including the level of payments to returning VBPS.

But the Vietnamese will almost certainly also raise the question of British development aid, in line with the wording in the Agreement of 26 June. This issue could well hold up the finalisation of arrangements for future deportations and, in

CONFIDENTIAL