TNAG-1906-FCO40-2710-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-voluntary-and-mandatory-repat-1989 — Page 49

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UKMIS GENEVA TELNO 524: VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: REPATRIATION

WE HAVE NO OBJECTION IN PRINCIPLE TO ALLOWING VIETNAMESE

OFFICIALS TO JOIN THEIR UNOFFICIAL TRADE OFFICE HERE FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF DEALING WITH DOCUMENTATION FOR REPATRIATION.

THERE WOULD HOWEVER BE DIFFICULTIES IF THE VIETNAMESE WANTED TO GO BEYOND THIS ARRANGEMENT. FOR EXAMPLE, THEY MIGHT WISH TO ESTABLISH A MORE GENERAL VISA OFFICE OR TO SEEK OFFICIAL

RECOGNITION FOR THEIR TRADE OFFICE. WE WOULD NOT WISH TO GO THAT FAR AT THIS STAGE, BUT A STRENGTHENING OF THE TRADE OFFICE FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF FACILITATING REPATRIATION WOULD

BE ACCEPTABLE.

2. TACTICALLY, HOWEVER, WE FEEL THAT WE SHOULD DELAY MAKING THIS OFFER FOR THE PRESENT. WE HAVE VERY LITTLE BARGAINING

POWER IN OUR NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE VIETNAMESE ON REPATRIATION

AND WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT CONCESSIONS ON ISSUES LIKE THEIR TRADE OFFICE AND AIR SERVICES AGREEMENTS ARE DEPLOYED

TO THE MAXIMUM ADVANTAGE. WE ARE NOW CLOSE TO CONCLUDING THE

AGREEMENT ON REPATRIATION BUT THERE ARE ONE OR TWO OUTSTANDING

ISSUES WHICH MIGHT PROVE TO BE DIFFICULT AND UPON WHICH

VIETNAMESE AGREEMENT SHOULD BE OBTAINED. IT WOULD BE USEFUL

TO USE THE STRENGTHENING OF THE TRADE OFFICE IN THIS

FORD

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