TNAG-1907-FCO40-2711-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-voluntary-and-mandatory-repat-1989 — Page 9

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156514 MDHI 3512

(E) AIRCRAFT AVAILABILITY COULD BECOME A PROBLEM AS WE APPROACH

THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS. THE PR DIFFICULTIES WILL ALSO BE

INCREASED IF WE ATTEMPT TO MOUNT THIS OPERATION CLOSE TO THE

CHRISTMAS SEASON.

(F) FOR PRESENTATIONAL REASONS THE CHRISTMAS SEASON MUST BE

RULED OUT FOR STARTING REPATRIATION.

2. I RECOMMEND THAT WE AIM TO RETURN THE FIRST GROUP OF NON-

VOLUNTEERS EARLY IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 27 NOVEMBER. ON THIS

TIMETABLE IT IS IMPORTANT THAT HANOI BE AUTHORISED TO CONCLUDE

THE AGREEMENT WITH THE VIETNAMESE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IN

FIRST TUR HANOI INDICATED THAT WE MIGHT ENCOUNTER NEW DIFFICULTIES WITH THE VIETNAMESE. THE SOONER WE IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS THESE DIFFICULTIES THE BETTER.

3. ON UNHCR MONITORING, I AGREE THAT HOCKE'S DEPARTURE MAY CONCEIVABLY MAKE OUR TASK EASIER. HOWEVER, I SUSPECT THAT THE

NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER IS UNLIKELY TO LET HIMSELF BE DRAWN

INTO THIS UNTIL AFTER THE FIRST REPATRIATION EXERCISE HAS TAKEN PLACE, AND THEN ONLY IF IT HAS PASSED OFF WITHOUT MAJOR PROBLEMS. UKMIS GENEVA ARE BEST PLACED TO PROVIDE AN ASSESSMENT BUT I DOUBT WHETHER A DELAY BEYOND SC3 WILL SECURE SWIFT UNHCR CO- OPERATION ON MONITORING.

WILSON

YYYY

ΜΑΙΝ

113

DISTRIBUTION

120

.VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HK

LIMITED

HKD

SEAD

UND

LEGAL ADVISERS

PUSD

ECD (E)

FED

RMD

PS

PS/MR MAUDE

PS/MR SAINSBURY

PS/LORD BRABAZON

PS/MRS CHALKER

PS/PUS

MR GILLMORE

MR SLATER

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