VIMAAV
CONFIDENTIAL
CABINET MEETING, 2 NOVEMBER 1989
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE
(Difficulty of getter acquiescent
son-whunters gathered, and holding on to
them for days/weeks)!
Had planned first non voluntary return on 31 October. Decided not to proceed then: numbers down to just 14. More time needed to prepare more boat people for inclusion in first batch.
HKG have now successfully moved 48 screened out boat people from large camp to building near airport (Phoenix House) from which repatriation can take place. Total of 62 boat people now ready for repatriation.
Believe that commercial airline (Cathay Pacific) will be willing
to undertake operation. Alternatively could use RAF VC10 (but this
would cost £340,000 and might cause presentational difficulties).
* -
Need to take decision very soon on timing of first repatriation.
Clearly should wait until after Prince of Wales' visit (he leaves
Hong Kong on 14 November). Options are:
(a) proceed before Prime Minister's visit to United States on
23-24 November. This is Governor's strong preference.
(b) wait until after resumed meeting of Geneva Steering Committee (probably 4-5 December). Might then stand better chance of securing cooperation of UNHCR over monitoring (now
that Hocke has gone).
Will in any case have to finalise practical details with
Vietnamese, and give them a fortnight's notice of first flight.
- Want to follow up first flight
as som as
possible with more.
Will have been diseased with the Prime Minister
CONFIDENTIAL
~1 November
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