TNAG-1907-FCO40-2711-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-voluntary-and-mandatory-repat-1989 — Page 103

CONFIDENTIAL

HKB

24319

[VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE : REPATRIATION : PUBLIC PRESENTATION]

1.

In general, I think it best that substantive interviews on this exceptionally sensitive topic be given by Ministers. But Mr Colvin and I will have to be prepared to speak to the press, and particularly to Hong Kong journalists in Geneva. It is difficult to forecast what the outcome of SC3 will be. It is, however, unlikely to be clear-cut. The Americans, and others, will seek to put their gloss on it, and I am sure that we should be ready to do the same. But, on the policy issues, we would stick to the arguments already used by Ministers and avoid getting onto dangerous new ground.

13 October 1989

Cc:

Mr Gillmore

RJT McLaren

321

Mr Paul, HKD

Mr Colvin, SEAD

Mr Burns, News Dept

Mixo Massin

Ry 17/10

in 19/10

paju 20/10

Mr Stry

magn

Mr

W10/0

MC2ACB

CONFIDENTIAL