TNAG-1906-FCO40-2710-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-voluntary-and-mandatory-repat-1989 — Page 32

Mr Hashell Ir

RM 29/5 vy

CONFIDENTIAL

Mr Paul, HKD

(27

HK B

24319

ECEIVE

04 SEP 1989

From: A R Brenton

United Nations Dept

Date: 25 August 1989

CC: Mr Gillmore

Mr Slater

Mr McLaren

PS/Mr Maude

PS/Mr Sainsbury SEAD

News Department

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE

1. With the demise of the 'grey area' I see that mandatory repatriation is again under active consideration.

2. So be it. But I do hope that we can firmly reject Hong Kong's view (paragraph 4 of their telno 2832) that voluntary repatriation can only ever be a partial solution and that mandatory repatriation should run in parallel with it whatever happens. As seen from UND mandatory repatriation is very much a second best option. Even if we can get the assent of the Vietnamese and can find a respectable body to monitor the treatment of the returnees it is a policy with real costs, particularly if (as seems certain) we have to use force. It would earn strong press and public criticism, and would damage our relations with the US and UNHCR, as well as our human rights reputation generally. And (pace Hong Kong) it is not, of course, the only deterrent to the boat people who currently face an open ended sojourn in the extremely unpleasant conditions of the camps.

3.

-

I therefore hope that in the event that the rate of voluntary return rises to a point where the physical and political pressure in Hong Kong diminishes significantly we could put the mandatory option back in the closet. This would be in conformity with the CPA, which explicitly reserves the use of "alternatives" for a situation where voluntary repatriation has failed to work.

MONADM

ARRE

AR BRENTON

CONFIDENTIAL