Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

Letter to Family Nguyen (Vietnamese Boat People)

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue: No.10 Downing Street
Source: Thatcher Archive
Editorial comments: Released to the Sunday press; see BBC Radio News Report 1800 29 July 1979.
Importance ranking: Minor
Word count: 147
Themes: Foreign policy (Asia), Foreign policy (International organizations)

Dear Family Nguyen,

Thank you for writing to me about the future of the people of your country and your own family. I fully understand your longing to be reunited with your parents.

I know what terrible sufferings have been endured by refugees from your country. That was why I first proposed that the United Nations Secretary General should call a conference to work out practical measures to help them. We are taking a full part in this international effort and have decided to accept another 10,000 refugees into this country.

I know that in the case of your own parents the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is making every effort to bring them out of Vietnam and we, for our part, have already authorised their entry to this country.

Like you, I hope it will not be long before you are a united family again.

Yours sincerely,

(SGD) MT