CABINET: 14 DECEMBER
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE
22
HKB 040 19 04019
The first group of 51 non-voluntary boat people were returned to
Vietnam on 12 December The operation went smoothly. No force was
used.
Vietnamese entirely cooperative.
- The Secretary of State informed US Secretary Baker of our
decision when he saw him on 11 December. Baker maintained US
opposition to non-voluntary repatriation.
-
Predictable criticism in Parliament and the media and from the US.
- Lord Ennals and Mr Raison will go to Vietnam next month to monitor the returned group.
- HMA Hanoi instructed to approach the Vietnamese to seek views on
the way forward to continue the process of non-voluntary return.
-
Demonstration against repatriation in some Hong Kong camps.
-
Dates of 18 and 19 January agreed for the resumed meeting of the
Steering Committee of the Geneva Conference on Refugees.
PEPAAD
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.