TNAG-1971-FCO40-2804-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation-1989 — Page 64

CONFIDENTIAL

Sevitar & State bly

3/4

143,

MOPAAI

нко 24319

2 1 APR 1989

اکھوں

McLaren

Private Secretary

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG

Problem

From:

кеп

A R Paul

Hong Kong Department

Date:

CC:

12 April 1989

PS/Lord Glenarthur

PS/Mr Eggar

Mr Gillmore

Mr Slater

Mr Thomas, SEAD

Mr Brenton, UND

Mr Millington, FED

1.

There has been a sharp increase in the number of Vietnamese

boat people arriving in Hong Kong. The territory faces the

prospect of a major crisis this summer. What can we do to help?

Recommendation

2.

I recommend that:

(a) we step up our efforts to secure international agreement to the implementation of a policy of mandatory repatriation with satisfactory safeguards for the treatment of all who are

repatriated;

(b) we pursue further, in concert with the ASEAN countries,

the idea of a regional holding centre in the Philippines.

CONF IDENTIAL