TNAG-1907-FCO40-2711-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-voluntary-and-mandatory-repat-1989 — Page 32

RM11x1

Miss Maroden Mr Stone 2411

Mr Hasyon 6/11

ра

34/10

FROM:

D H Colvin

356

HKB

243 19

South-East Asia Dept

DATE:

24 October 1989

CC:

PS/Mrs Chalker

PS/Lord Brabazon PS/PUS

Mr Gillmore

Mr Paul, HKD

Mr Burns, News Dept Mr Manning, ODA

Α

B

Mr McLaren

PS/Mr Maude

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: REPATRIATION

Problem

1 When to start repatriating boat people from Hong Kong who are not volunteers? And how to prepare the ground?

Recommendation

2 I recommend that:

a) we start immediately after the Prime Minister's visit to the United States from 23-24 November and the resumed session of SC3. This means a target date of either 27 November or 7 December;

b) we prepare the ground in advance with like-minded countries (Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and possibly Japan) and make clear to the Americans that the failure of SC3 (resumed) could mean the collapse of the CPA.

Background

3

Ministers agreed at OD (K) on 4 October that the return of the first batch of acquiescent non-volunteers should follow SC3 (16-17 October) but precede TRH's visit to Hong Kong (7-11 November). A target date was fixed for 31 October. Our hope was that SC3 would clear the path for non-voluntary return in accordance with the terms of the CPA. But there was no progress on repatriation, mainly due to American intransigence, although SC3 agreed to meet again on 23/24 November or 4/5 December. The dates have not yet been settled but are likely to be the latter.

CA4ANT

CONFIDENTIAL