TNAG-1903-FCO40-2705-Hong-Kong-cabinet-meetings-on-Vietnamese-refugees-1990 — Page 98

CONFIDENTIAL

THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT

OD (K) (89) (4)

SEPTEMBER 1989

CABINET

DEFENCE AND OVERSEAS POLICY COMMITTEE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON HONG KONG

THE VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE

MEMORANDUM BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN

AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

BACKGROUND

1.

THE PURPOSE OF THIS PAPER IS TO REPORT ON THE

SITUATION IN HONG KONG, TO REVIEW PROGRESS TOWARDS A PROGRAMME OF MANDRISBY KETARRINION FOR MOE SCREENED OUT HS NON REFUGEES, ANO

On 29 June, OD (K) considered a Memorandum (OD (K) (89)3) on the outcome of the International Conference on Indochinese Refugees (ICIR) in Geneva on 13/14 June and the follow-up action.

[2.

attitude

OD (K) agreed that the United States attitude towards

repatriation was difficult to defend. The ICR had not met the British requirement for the compulsory repatriation to Vietnam of non-refugees. It was right to allow a trial period for the policy of returning non-refugees who would not resist repatriation to Vietnam even if they did not actively volunteer to see whether t would produce results. But if it did not, OD's decision of 8/June to terminate the policy of first asylum as far as Hong Kong was concerned should not be reversed. OD (K) agreed to keep the position

under review.

3.

This paper describes events since OD (K)'s last meeting and considers what action should now be taken to achieve British

objectives.

TO CONSIDER OUR STRHIZO/ FOR THE REVILU CONFERENCE amed To Be H221) Or 16/17

остовск

CONFIDENTIAL