TNAG-1905-FCO40-2709-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-voluntary-and-mandatory-repat-1989 — Page 16

BAGALS(2)

A

CONFIDENTIAL

4.

(b) we do not proceed with returning the first batch until we

have exhausted all possibilities of winning at least the acquiescence of the Americans in what we are doing;

(c) in parallel with our efforts with the Americans, we make a

renewed attempt to persuade the UNHCR to assist over monitoring

of returnees and explore the scope for enlisting the help of the

NGOs over this;

(d) we step up counselling in the camps with the aim of

encouraging people (a) to volunteer to go back or (b) to acquiesce in the non voluntary programme;

(e) we delay signing the Agreement with the Vietnamese,

explaining all the reasons for doing so;

(f) we launch a campaign to explain the rationale behind our policy (a) to the UK (and US) media and (b) to other governments whose support and understanding we need.

SEAD and News Department agree. The Hong Kong Government have

not been consulted and we shall need to discuss this strategy with

the Governor when he visits London on 7 August.

Background

5. The key elements of the present position are as follows

(i) We have now agreed under the terms of our bilateral

agreement of 26 June (see para 15) the text of detailed

arrangements with Vietnam for the non forcible repatriation

of the first group of non volunteer boat people from Hong

Kong. The Vietnamese are ready to sign it.

(ii)

There is widespread press speculation (varying degrees of accuracy) about the contents of the agreement. Partly

because of Vietnam's desire for confidentiality and partly because of Hong Kong's fear of an adverse reaction in the

CONFIDENTIAL