CAB128-94_A1b — Page 239

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language than hitherto, warning against interference by Western countries in Eastern Europe. He had been critical of the West German Government, whose position he had compared unfavourably with those of Britain and France. President Gorbachev had not concealed his anxieties about the pace of change in Eastern Europe.

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Vietnamese bat People

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eference: C(89) 36.3

ha

HE MINISTER OF STATE, FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE said

the first group of 51 non-voluntary returnees had Bent back to Vietnam on 12 December. The operation gone smoothly. No force had been used. The Vietnamese Government had been co-operative. When the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary saw the United States Secretary of State, Mr James Baker, on 11 December he had informed him of the Brit decision. Mr Baker had taken a rather cynical position. He had argued that if Britain delayed repatriation pending negotiation of an international monitorings for returnees and confirmation in a multilateral of the right of first asylum, the United States would become more acquiescent. At the same time, the United States ministration must be expected to continue to be critic of non-voluntary repatriation. Officials in the Eassyin Washington had been asked to contact the State Department to see whether this proposal could usefully be pursu Mord Ennals and Mr Raison would go to Vietnam in Januar to monitor the condition of the returnees. It was not intended to carry out a further repatriation operation before the resumed meeting of the Steering Committee of the Geneveonference on Refugees on 18-19 January. At this Conferen

At this Conference Britain would work once again for international agreement repatriate non- refugees. Some progress might have been made in the discussions with the United States ministration by then, though it would be wrong to pin too many hopes on this. The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr Maude) had given evidence to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee. He had handled some hose questions with considerable skill. There had beer (predictable media

beer criticism of the Government's action. On other hand, articles were now appearing in support of the Government's position.

In discussion, the following points were made:

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a.

There were now 1,700 to go back voluntarily.

Vietnamese immigrants pro 13,000 had already been designated as bona fide refugees and were awaiting settlement. It was essential to take urgent steps repatriate the volunteers and to press those

ONFIDENTIAL

governments who had made commitments to accept refugees to honour their pledges. This action should be pursued

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