TNAG-1973-FCO40-2806-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-refugees-repatriation-1989 — Page 13

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1. CC My Paul

Miss Masinad

2. PA

Mr Fritha

Mr Mw wich

Mr Colvin, SEAD

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11/5

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CONFIDENTIAL

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HKD 24319

FROM:

PS/Lord Glenarthur

DATE: 10 May 1989

(223

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE

1. I attach the top copy of the Private Secretary's minute of 9 May, together with the other recent minuting on this subject. You will no doubt wish to enter these in your files.

2.

Lord Glenarthur would be grateful if you, in conjunction with HKD, could continue to follow up vigorously on the various action points to have emerged. Three further points arise from

Mr Peirce's minute:

(a) further impetus behind the idea of an Over-spill Centre;

(b) briefing for Secretary of State's meeting with Dumas on 15 May;

(c) the suggestion that proposals be put to OD in due course, which

Lord Glenarthur thinks a good one.

3.

Lord Glenarthur found Mr Howell's remarks reported in Mr Peirce's minute most revealing. The difference, of course, is that the boat people are only too happy to continue their journeys. East from China and/or Macau to Hong Kong. Any attempt to move them further on from Hong Kong would be bound to meet with resistance and be seen as "pushing off", with all that that entails.

10 May 1989

PS

CC: PS/All Ministers

PS/PUS

Mr Caines

Sir J Fretwell Chief Clerk

Mr Gillmore

Mr McLaren

Mr Slater

Mr Blatherwick Mr Manning, ODA

Robert Court

Robert Court

PS/Lord Glenarthur

Mr Paul, HKD

Mr Brenton, UND

Mr Millington, FED

Mr Burns, News Dept

Mr Crabbie, Finance Dept Mr Graham-Harrison, ODA Mr Teasdale

Mr Fraser

CONFIDENTIAL