TNAG-1909-FCO40-2713-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-voluntary-and-mandatory-repat-1989 — Page 199

Sealing of State stată

From:

RJT McLaren

сс

WHL VH Miss Harper

Mi Haswell

Mr Cotum, SEAT)

Mr Paul, itki)

Discursed at yesterday's office

weely hold by the

2. Ive should now pregare

SAS.

wstrackić f

water if h

explose

wirk the

Churen Wally

whether

The

holdning

center

ми

25/

CONFIDENTIAL

jihen still has any mileage

11.

in

Private Secretary private

FA 243

Date:

27 November 1989

Cc:

PS/Mr Maude

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE : DETERRENT MEASURES

PS/PUS

Mr Gillmore

Mr Paul, HKD

Mr Colvin, SEAD

Mr Fraser

Mr Lidington

Mr Anderson, Assessments

Staff

HKB

273 19

1. You minuted to me on 21 November with the Secretary of State's suggestions for measures that might be taken to try to deter a fresh

influx of boat people to Hong Kong.

2. We have consulted Hong Kong and Legal Advisers. Hong Kong have outlined a Scheme which bears some similarity to that operated by

the United States in its treatment of Haitians. They are keen however that any new arrangements should remain within the framework of the Comprehensive Plan of Action endorsed in Geneva in June: ie that the principle of first asylum should be preserved and that screening, though swift, should be accepted as complying with CPA guidelines. I see considerable advantage in keeping within the CPA

as far as possible.

3. As outlined in Hong Kong Telno 3893 (which the Secretary of State has already seen), such a Scheme might operate as follows:

CONFIDENTIAL

/ (a)

449