TNAG-1909-FCO40-2713-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-voluntary-and-mandatory-repat-1989 — Page 35

running from after 19 January, on the basis of an initial rate of

one a fortnight.

4.

We should also be grateful for your thoughts on the practicalities of the next repatriation flight. We note that you

propose to find an

find an alternative to Phoenix House for the final

departure point: in view of the controversy over the exercise to

remove the last group from Chi Ma Wan and the methods which were

necessary to ensure that move s success, Ministers are concerned

that the removal of the next group should go as smoothly as possible.

5. We propose to make maximum use of this time to canvas support

for multilateral agreement on mandatory repatriation at SC3(2).

To that end we will be continuing our current attempt to secure American acquiescence, if not active support in advance of the

Milbre meeting, and we sending separate lobbying instructions to

selected posts.

6.

To strengthen our position at SC3(2), it will also be

important to be able to demonstrate that we have done all we can

to speed up the voluntary programme

to return as many of

the 1200 outstanding volunteers as possible before the meeting

Ministers would be grateful for your thoughts on

to achieve this, including the

resumes.

measures that might be

possibility of according some form of permanent facility to

Vietnamese officials, perhaps at Lowu, so that the process of

clearing names can be accelerated.

7. For Hanoi. In returning to the charge with the Vietnamese,

grateful if you would make it clear

it clear to them that it is our

intention that repatriation flights should resume as soon as

possible after 19 January, and that agreement on the modalities

be a g of this is urgent. We should also be grateful for an

assessment of their reaction to the proposal set out in para 7 of

our telno 415 for a scheme for next year for quick screening and

return of new arrivals.