TNAG-1908-FCO40-2712-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-voluntary-and-mandatory-repat-1989 — Page 5

Mr Colvin

PS/Mr Maude

HKB

243 19

SECRET

FROM: C C D Haswell

Hong Kong Department

DATE: 4 December 1989

4+7

File.

cc: Mr Gillmore

Mr McLaren

Mr Paul, HKD

Mr Brenton, UND

Mr Burns, News Department

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: REPATRIATION

1. Mr Maude asked about a number of points relating to the

repatriation of Vietnamese Boat People at this morning's meeting.

Obligation to inform Vietnamese of total number on aircraft

2.

I discussed this with Mike Hanson, Refugee Coordinator, in Hong

Kong. He agreed that it was his understanding that our obligations to the Vietnamese only required us to inform them of the details of

those being repatriated. It would not be necessary to reveal the numbers of police involved. But he also agreed that we needed to check this with Hanoi: I am sending a telegram seeking a reply to

reach us first thing tomorrow.

Assessment of likelihood that people will resist repatriation

3. Mr Hanson told me that the leading hunger striker had been removed from Phoenix House to hospital. Without his presence, the remainder had begun to take food and the mood had become more

compliant. Mr Hanson said he would send us a full assessment of the likelihood of resistance by telegram tomorrow.

PTAAOQ

SECRET