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CONFIDENTIAL
31 JAN1990
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Mastone Mr. Hausch 1/1
Secretary of State
From: Francis Maude
Date: 8 January 1990
cc: PS/Lord Brabazon
PS/Mrs Chalker PS/PUS
Mr Gillmore Mr McLaren Mr Paul, HKD Mr Guy, SEAD
Mr Manning, ODA
Mr Faint, ODA
UND
NAD
Mr Whitehead, News Dept
A-1
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: FUTURE ACTION
1.
I am attracted by Robin McLaren's idea for a trade-off: a delay in further mandatory repatriations (which we could present as a concession) in return for the introduction of a quick turnround scheme. But the screening procedures used must be internationally respectable and UNHCR support will be critical. I think there are a few things we ought to be doing early this week to help to secure that support; I set these in hand at a meeting with officials this morning.
2.
We need to talk to Viera de Mello since Stoltenberg seems to be in purdah – in Geneva before SC3(2). We should know in advance how the UNHCR will react to the quick turnround scheme, and to discuss details (timing and resources) with them.
3. It might be helpful to discuss the Philippine regional processing centre with Viera de Mello, though I am not sure how far it will actually get. This solution has another hefty price tag attached to it and my inclination is to press for international contributions after an SC3 (2) agreement, rather than to sink more money bilaterally yet.
4.
We should talk to the Canadians before SC3(2), who might be able to give us helpful tips about their quick turnround scheme; this can be done at official level with the High Commission here. I have also asked the department (SEAD)
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