Minister to ask Hanoi for repatriation of 700 boat people a month

The Foreign Office minister for Hong Kong, Jeremy Hanley, is seeking agreement from Vietnam to the forced repatriation of up to 700 boat people a month from the territory's camps - more than three times the current rate.

Mr Hanley arrived in Hanoi last night, claiming co-operation with Vietnam was better than ever and voicing confidence that Hong Kong's camps would be cleared by the handover. 'There are logistical problems but I believe these will be overcome,' he said.

'I have very high hopes of the Vietnamese Government and I give them great tribute for the way they are dealing with this issue. Bilateral relations are very strong.' Mr Hanley's sudden praise came ahead of his first meetings today with key Vietnamese leaders, during which he must secure agreements to return 19,000 boat people in the next 15 months.

The minister spent four hours in Hong Kong yesterday, closeted in talks at Government House with Refugee Co-ordinator Brian Bresnihan. Mr Hanley and his wife arrived from London early yesterday and left for Hanoi with Mr Bresnihan in the afternoon.

Mr Hanley's visit marks the last big British push to resolve the problem with Vietnam before July 1997.

The last forced repatriation, two weeks ago, had been quiet and Britain would not seek permission to use extra or special force to drive people back, acknowledging Vietnamese sensitivities, he said.