TNAG-2401-FCO40-3488-Vietnamese-migrants-Orderly-Repatriation-Programme-(ORP)-1992 — Page 42

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SECRET

A

B

C

Recommendation

3. At a meeting with the Prime Minister on 22 May

Secretary of State Baker asked whether the Americans

could build a screening centre for Haitian refugees on

the TCI because their own screening centre at Guantanamo

Bay was overwhelmed. The Prime Minister undertook to

consider this. The Department advised that the

request should be turned down because of the unacceptable

burden it would place on the TCI, the harm it would do to

our relations with the TCI Government,

the TCI Government, the risk of

adverse publicity and the likelihood that HMG would have

to compensate the TCI Government for any long-term

effects on their economy.

4.

The Prime Minister has accepted the substance of the

Department's advice, but he does not want the issue to be

raised at Camp David. He would prefer nothing to be said

to the Americans until after he has left the USA. But I f

postponing a response would make it more likely that

President Bush would be briefed to raise the issue at

Camp David, No 10 accept that HMA Washington might need

to take pre-emptive action beforehand.

5. The tactics are difficult to judge, and we need the

advice of HMA Washington. He should also be asked for

advice whether, if pre-emptive action is not to be

taken before Camp David, the response should be given:

(a) by Mr Garel-Jones when he sees Mr Aronson on 8

June;

JUNADY/2

SECRET