TNAG-1916-FCO40-2720-Accommodation-for-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 25

CONFIDENTIAL

60

006212

MDHIAN 1422

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 2650

OF 071115Z AUGUST 89

2+3/30

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: HIGH ISLAND PROTEST

TOP COPY n DIST ?

THE PROTEST OVER THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HIGH ISLAND DETENTION CENTRE HAS CONTINUED OVER THE WEEKEND. DESPITE INTENSIVE CONSULTAT- IONS AND NEGOTIATIONS TODAY, THE PROTESTERS HAVE REFUSED TO LEAVE THE SITE TO ALLOW CONSTRUCTION WORK TO CONTINUE.

2. WE HAVE THEREFORE DECIDED TO ASK THE POLICE TO CLEAR THE PROTESTERS FROM THE SITE EARLY TOMORROW (8 AUGUST) MORNING. THERE IS UNLIKELY TO BE RESISTENCE FROM THE PROTESTERS BUT WE CAN EXPECT

UNFAVOURABLE PRESS COVERAGE. WE HAVE EXPLORED ALL THE POLITICAL OPTIONS TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM AND WE NOW FEEL THAT WE HAVE TO PRESS AHEAD WITH CLEARING THE SITE SO THAT CONSTRUCTION WORK CAN CONTINUE. THE PROJECT IS ALREADY A MONTH BEHING SCHEDULE AND OUR ACCOMMODATION DIFFICULTIES ARE AGAIN BECOMING ACUTE. THERE ARE AT PRESENT OVER 5,600 PEPLE AT TAI A CHAU AND ALTHOUGH WE HAVE SOME NEW ACCOMMODATI- ON AT WHITEHEAD AVAILABLE WE CONSIDER IT ESSENTIAL TO COMPLET THE

HIGH ISLAND PROJECT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

FORD

YYYY

ΜΑΙΝ

109

DISTRIBUTION

116

.VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HK

LIMITED

HKD

SEAD

UND

LEGAL ADVISERS

PUSD

ECD (E)

FED

FINANCE D

RMD

PS

PS/MR MAUDE

PAGE

PS/MR SAINSBURY

PS/LORD BRABAZON

PS/MRS CHALKER

PS/PUS

MR GILLMORE

1

CONFIDENTIAL