TNAG-2063-FCO40-2941-Vietnamese-boat-people-repatriation-1990 — Page 123

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FM HONG KONG

TO IMMEDIATE FCO

TELNO 571

OF 14120OZ FEBRUARY 90

INFO IMMEDIATE UKMIS GENEVA, HANOI

INFO IMMEDIATE KUALA LUMPUR

KUALA LUMPUR FOR MR MAUDES PARTY

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE

1. THE LOCAL PRESS HERE HAVE PICKED UP A REPORT IN THE TIMES OF 14 FEBRUARY TO THE EFFECT THAT MR MAUDE HAS SAID THAT HMG INTEND TO RE-START THE MANDATORY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME IN JULY.

2. WE SEE CERTAIN DANGERS IF THIS LINE BEGINS TO DEVELOP PUBLIC MOMENTUM. AS INTERPRETED BY THE PRESS IT IS LIKELY TO IMPLY THAT WE ACCEPT THAT MANDATORY REPATRIATION BEFORE 1 JULY CAT THE EARLIEST) IS IMPRACTICABLE. APART FROM THE POLITICAL PROBLEM THAT THIS MAY PRESENT IN OUR HANDLING OF THE ISSUE HERE, THERE IS ALSO A REAL RISK THAT THE VIETNAMESE WILL RECEIVE THE WRONG MESSAGE THAT MANDATORY REPATRIATION HAS BEEN SUSPENDED AND THAT THERE IS A NEW DEADLINE FOR ARRIVALS. THIS CAN ONLY INCREASE THE RISKS OF A MAJOR INFLUX THIS SPRING AND SUMMER.

WILSON

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MAIN

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.VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HK

LIMITED

HKD

SEAD

UND

LEGAL ADVISERS

PUSD

ECD (E)

RMD

PS

PS/MR MAUDE

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PS/MR SAINSBURY

PS/LORD BRABAZON

PS/MRS CHALKER

PS/PUS

MR GILLMORE

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