CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG TELNO 2345
OF 22174OZ NOVEMBER 89
AND TO IMMEDIATE HANOI
INFO IMMEDIATE UKMIS GENEVA
CONFIDENTIAL
HKB 243 la
392
031516
MDHOAN 8246
PERSONAL FOR GOVERNOR FROM MCLAREN
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: POSSIBLE DETERRENT MEASURES
1.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS CONCERNED THAT EVEN WHEN WE BEGIN MANDATORY REPATRIATION IT COULD BE DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE A FLOW OF PEOPLE BACK TO VIETNAM SUFFICIENT TO DETER FRESH DEPARTURES. HE HAS ASKED US TO CONSIDER EFFECTIVE AND ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF DETERRING NEW ARRIVALS.
2. HE HAS SUGGESTED THAT ONE DETERRENT MIGHT BE A POLICY OF RETURNING TO VIETNAM VERY RAPIDLY ANY NEW BOAT PEOPLE SEEKING TO ENTER HONG KONG. SCREENING WOULD BE CARRIED OUT RAPIDLY, WITH THE AIM OF RETURNING NON-REFUGEES TO VIETNAM WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THEIR ARRIVAL. HE HAS ASKED US TO EXAMINE SCHEMES WHICH MIGHT
INVOLVE:
(A) SCREENING OR INTERDICTION AT SEA CON THE AMERICAN MODEL IN THE CASE OF HAITIANS).
(B) PARALLELS WITH THE ARRANGEMENTS NOW FOR PEOPLE WHO CROSS THE BORDER FROM HONG KONG.
(C) THE QUICK TURN ROUND OF PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY LAND IN HONG KONG, INCLUDING THE MECHANICS OF SCREENING, HOUSING THEM (PERHAPS OTHER THAN IN REFUGEE CAMPS) AND ORGANISING FLIGHTS. 3. INTERDICTION AND SCREENING AT SEA WERE DISCUSSED IN YOUR TELNO 1516 AND OUR REPLY TELNO 1096. WE ARE CONSULTING LEGAL ADVISERS ABOUT THE LEGALITY OF SCREENING AT SEA, BUT WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR COMMENTS ON THE QUESTIONS RAISED IN OUR TELNO 1096, AND FOR PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS AS TO HOW SUCH A SCHEME MIGHT BE OPERATED, INCLUDING THE QUESTION OF WHETHER ACTION SHOULD TAKE PLACE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE SQUARE BOUNDARY.
4. THE PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH THOSE WHO CROSS FROM CHINA
REFLECT THE FACT OF THE CLOSE LAND BORDER AND OUR AGREEMENTS WITH THE CHINESE. WITHOUT SUCH A LAND BORDER WITH VIETNAM, THE PROCEDURES WOULD CLEARLY BE DIFFICULT TO REPLICATE IN THE CASE OF
BOAT PEOPLE. BUT THERE MAY NEVERTHELESS BE LESSONS THAT CAN BE DRAWN.
5. GRATEFUL FOR ANY OTHER THOUGHTS WORTH CONSIDERING FOR
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