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13. KIMMITT WAS GRATEFUL FOR THE CARE WE HAD TAKEN TO CONSULT THE
AMERICANS FULLY ON THE BOAT PEOPLE ISSUE. IN THE US VIEW IT WAS TOD EARLY FOR HONG KONG TO MOVE ON FROM VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION. BAKER WOULD BE BRIEFING YOU ON THE POSITIVE STEPS WHICH THE
AMERICANS HAD TAKEN WITH UNHCR AND WOULD MAKE THE CASE FOR
REMAINING ON THE PRESENT COURSE WHILE STAYING CLOSELY IN TOUCH. THE WHOLE QUESTION OF REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS WORLDWIDE WAS A
VERY DIFFICULT ONE FOR THE US.
COMMENT
14. IT WAS NOTICEABLE THAT THE AMERICANS DID NOT THEMSELVES RAISE THE QUESTION OF A QUOTE GREY AREA UNQUOTE, PRESUMABLY BECAUSE THEY (LIKE US) HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THIS IS NOT A PRODUCTIVE WAY FORWARD. THEIR PAPER IS CLEARLY AN EFFORT TO PUT THE BALL BACK INTO OUR COURT, TO MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR US TO MOVE ON TO INVOLUNTARY REPATRIATION IN THE SHORT TERM, AND TO PUT THE ADMINISTRATION IN THE BEST POSSIBLE LIGHT (EG WITH CONGRESS) SHOULD WE COME TO AN OPEN BREACH ON THIS ISSUE. SEITZ, IN A PRIVATE CONVERSATION WITH MCLAREN AFTER THE PLENARY MEETING, NOTED THAT AFTER THE BAD TEMPERED EXCHANGES OF JULY, THINGS WERE NOW ON A MORE EVEN KEEL. BUT HE LEFT NO DOUBT THAT ANY FORM OF INVOLUNTARY REPATRIATION WOULD BE SEEN HERE AS VERY DAMAGING TO THE CPA WITH ALL THAT THAT IMPLIED.
15.
I SHALL COMMENT FURTHER ON 8 SEPTEMBER AND LET YOU HAVE THEN MY RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO PLAY THE HAND WITH BAKER ON 11
SEPTEMBER.
ACLAND
YYYY
ΜΑΙΝ
111
DISTRIBUTION
118
PS/MR MAUDE
PS/MR SAINSBURY
PS/LORD BRABAZON
PS/MRS CHALKER
.VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HK
LIMITED
RMD
PS
HKD
SEAD
UND
LEGAL ADVISERS
PAGE
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CONFIDENTIAL
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