TNAG-1969-FCO40-2802-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation-1989 — Page 148

CONFIDENTIAL

MKD 24319

CONFIDENTIAL

FM HONG KONG

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 73

OF 06111OZ JANUARY 89

anu

INFO PRIORITY HANOI, UKMIS GENEVA, BANGKOK

г

3

140125

MDHIAN 7578

COPY DIST ?

BANGKOK TELNO 012: VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG:

FIRST RETURNEES

1. WE ARE MUCH ENCOURAGED BY THE NEWS IN TUR. IT IS CLEARLY NECESSARY THAT THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE VIETNAMESE BE CONCLUDED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF THE TARGET FOR THE RETURN OF THE FIRST BATCH

OF VOLUNTEERS IS TO BE ACHIEVED.

2. WE WOULD REQUIRE AS A MATTER OF URGENCY THE LISTS OF VOLUNTEERS

WHO HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED FOR RETURN TO VIETNAM. AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WE SHALL ALSO NEED TO KNOW THE PROPOSED DATES OF THE VISIT TO HONG KONG BY VIETNAMESE OFFICIALS, AND THEIR PERSONAL DETAILS FOR VISA

PURPOSES.

3. MEANWHILE WE SHALL GO AS FAR AS WE CAN AT THIS STAGE ON THE PLANNING OF ARRANGEMENTS SUCH AS MEDICAL CERTIFICATES, ACCOMMODATION FOR RETURNEES, A SUITABLE SITE FOR THE CONTACT WITH VIETNAMESE OFFICIALS AND DOCUMENTATION TO TAKE PLACE, ETC.

4. OUR DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION HAS BEEN ALERTED OF THE POSSIBLE

TIMING AND DETAILS OF THE FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS.

5. WE HAVE GIVEN SOME THOUGHT TO THE PUBLICITY ASPECT OF THE EVENT.

THIS IS OUTLINED IN MIFT.

WILSON

YYYY

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CONFIDENTIAL