CONFIDENTIAL
IMMEDIATE
the
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first
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quote grey area unquote
group
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not going to be as easy as hoped. Secondly We have encountered particularly persistent opposition from the Americans which is feeding through to others (eg UNIICR). We would prefer to proceed with the first operation with at least the acquie cense of the Americans, if not their
Support. Thirdly the arrangements
·
we
have in place to monitor
they have returned lack
MUSICALS
of any
Leave
us
the conditions of the first group once
credibility. We doubt whether this is something the Embassy
could take on alone. And there i s a worrying absense provision for independent monitoring. This will
vulnerable to criticism : it would be difficult to defend such
arrangements in the face of а determined attack. As you may be
aware, media coverage
of the whole boat people issue over the
past weeks has generated an atmosphere of suspicion about our
intentions which has heightened scrutiny of our actions.
4. Ministers have therefore decided that
would be sensible
delay the repatriation of the first group to give us more
time to
prepare the ground thoroughly in advance. They understand your desire to move quickly. But they attach the greatest priority to
getting it right first time.
5.
it
The work of selecting out those likely to acquiesce can and
must continue. In the meantime we will take full advantage of the time available :
(a) to try once more to persuade the Americans to accept our
policy
(b) to resolve the problem of monitoring in Vietnam.
to
(c) to do all We possibly can to generate an atmosphere in which international opinion and (through this) those screened out in
Hong Kong are more likely to accept the inevitability and
rationale of repatriation to Vietnam.
5.
our
Gillmore is visiting Washington on 14 August to reiterate
arguments to the Americans. There is at least a glimmer of hope
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.