CONFIDENTIAL
LOOSE MINUTE
D/Sec(O)(C)/6/7
6 September 1989
MA/Minister (AF)
Copy to:
APS/Secretary of State
PS/US of S(AF)
DPSO/CDS
PS/PUS
HKB 243/30
MA/DCDS (C) ACDS (0) AUS(C)
DROW
DPO
MA/CGS
aka vec. Mr. Colvin SEAD Mr Brent UND
68
Mr Whitehead DowD
сошескад
४
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FCO (HKD)
-
Mr Haswell
HONG KONG:
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE
1. We have now received details from Hong Kong about last weekend's incident at the Sek Kong camp, which excited some press interest in the role of garrison troops supporting the Hong Kong Police.
2. The rioting at Sek Kong, where some 7000 VBP are housed, resulted in 1 VBP death and several others being severely injured. The garrison were forced to deploy a reaction force to round up 2000 VBP - mostly women and children who were let out of the camp by the police on to the base itself, the idea being to isolate the trouble-makers. All were subsequently returned to the camp.
In addition a garrison engineer search team
It
cleared the camp of a large quantity of makeshift weapons. was the latter that appear to have prompted most of the media interest.
3.
It is clear that the prospect this Autumn is for an increasing number of incidents at VBP camps, some of which may involve the use of garrison troops. I have therefore prepared the attached general press line for use defensively to cover the latter, which has been agreed with the FCO. In addition, I propose, starting next week, to provide weekly summaries of the VBP position in Hong Kong covering numbers, incidents, garrison involvement and other related issues as they arise. Major developments would however continue to be reported separately.
4. I should be grateful to know that Minister (AF) is content with these proposals.
Masti
M L HOWARD
Sec(O) (C)
MB5314 6272MB
CONFIDENTIAL
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