TNAG-1900-FCO40-2699-Future-of-Hong-Kong-briefing-1989 — Page 24

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VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE

CONFIDENTIAL

Pressure on Hong Kong intolerable.

Boat people still

arriving in large numbers. Over 56,000 in camps, 32,000 arrivals this year, of which 4,000 in August.

Problem reaching crisis point: rioting in camps, protests by local

residents, outbreak of cholera.

Results of voluntary repatriation so far disappointing (only 264 have returned to date). Barring dramatic improvement, see no alternative but to move to mandatory repatriation when Geneva Conference Steering Committee meets in October.

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or at least

Understand US sensitivities. Hope you can support not object publicly if we are forced to adopt a policy of mandatory repatriation consistent with normal deportation practice.

CONFIDENTIAL