TNAG-1908-FCO40-2712-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-voluntary-and-mandatory-repat-1989 — Page 134

SECRET

SECRET

Q

TO COPY LIST

(406

036576

MDHIAN 6137

FM HONG KONG

TO DESKBY 25213OZ WASHINGTON

TELNO MISC 870

OF 251145Z NOVEMBER 89

AND TO IMMEDIATE

FCO

INFO IMMEDIATE HANOI, UKMIS GENEVA

HKB

24319

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: REPATRIATION

THERE HAVE BEEN EXTENSIVE NEWS REPORTS HERE FROM WASHINGTON ON THE PRIME MINISTER'S DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT ON MANDATORY REPATRIATION. ONE ELEMENT IN THESE REPORTS CAUSES US SOME CONCERN. BRITISH EMBASSY OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON ARE QUOTED AS SAYING THAT DESPITE THE PRESIDENT'S QUOTE PROFOUND DIS- AGREEMENT WITH THE UK POSITION UNQUOTE MANDATORY REPATRIATION

OF NON-REFUGEES WILL BEGIN IN 3 WEEKS TIME. WE SHOULD BE

GRATEFUL FOR CLARIFICATION.

2. SEEN FROM HERE, SUCH COMMENTS ON TIMING INCREASE OUR OPERATIONAL DIFFICULTIES. THESE NEWS REPORTS REACH THE CAMPS IMMEDIATELY AND LEAD

TO AN INCREASE IN TENSION. THE GROUPS AT PHOENIX HOUSE BEGAN A

PROTEST EARLIER TODAY BY REFUSING TO TAKE FOOD AND THESE REPORTS

FROM WASHINGTON WILL UNDOUBTEDLY FUEL THEIR PROTEST.

WILSON

YYYY

DISTRIBUTION

119

ΜΑΙΝ

111

.VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HK

LIMITED

RMD

PS

HKD

SEAD

UND

LEGAL ADVISERS

PUSD

ECD (E)

FED

PS/MR MAUDE

PS/MR SAINSBURY

PS/LORD BRABAZON

PS/MRS CHALKER

PS/PUS

MR GILLMORE

MR SLATER

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