TNAG-1909-FCO40-2713-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-voluntary-and-mandatory-repat-1989 — Page 197

7

SECRET

нав

FROM: C C D Haswell

Hong Kong Department

DATE: 4 December 1989

Mr Hoowed

Набики

HUD

Thank

you

6/12

m

4/12

cc: Mr Gillmore

Mr McLaren

Mr Paul, HKD

Mr Brenton, UND

Mr Burns, News Department

HKB 243 19

Mr Colin

PS/Mr Maude

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: REPATRIATION

450)

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. 1

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