TNAG-2063-FCO40-2941-Vietnamese-boat-people-repatriation-1990 — Page 118

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

in marked contrast. If places of first asylum are denied a clear programme for dealing with those screened out, they will have little and choice but to abandon their undertakings to grant first asylum indeed we are already seeing this happen. The consequence, in terms of human suffering, is far more serious than that of the monitored

The choice is return to Vietnam of those who are not refugees. simple: a programme of orderly return, under the auspices of the UNHCR, will continue to safeguard both the legitimate claims of refugees, and the lives of all others. Failure to accept this lesser evil invites a far greater one abandonment of first asylum

which puts all in jeopardy.

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I have written at length and I ask you to consider this problem one more time; to evoke, perhaps, the spirit of your own remarks We are faced with a about Vietnam in your inauguration address.

situation in Hong Kong over which we have no choice but to take action. It would be my great preference that we take it with your

understanding and support.

Margaret Thatcher

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