TNAG-2401-FCO40-3488-Vietnamese-migrants-Orderly-Repatriation-Programme-(ORP)-1992 — Page 58

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Classification

SECRET

OUT TELEGRAM

(CONT)

Covest

DESKBY

appreciate that we have international obligations regarding the treatment of the boat people by the DTS, not only under

the UN Refugee Convention, but also under the European

Convention on Human Rights.

Whatever

6. Finally, we should not take lightly the possible long-term consequences to the UK of accepting boat people on Crown UK

territory on behalf of the Americans. In international Law responsibility would fall to the UK, and not the US.

assurance the US Administration were to offer the experience

of Hong Kong, and the fickle nature of Congress and the US

Courts, should give us pause for thought. Given the

precarious financial state of the TCI Government we would have

to accept liability for every cost associated with such a programme were the US Administration unable to deliver on

their (so far loose) promises. If the economy of the TCI

suffered as a consequence of the boat people's presence, HMG

would probably have to bear the burden under the aid budget.

(ENDS)

HURD

YYYY

MAIN

WIAD

UND NAD

SEAD

HKD

LAD

NEWS D

LEGAL ADVISERS

POLICY PLANNING STAFF

31377 105 27031

PS

YES7 C87C