1.
GV Police and immigration launches surround Ava.
0.03

2.
SV Police launch.
0.08

3.
GV Freighter
0.11

4.
Name of ship on stern of freighter.
0.14

5.
Immigration officials boarding freighter.
0.18

6.
Police launches patrolling around freighter. (2 shots)
0.26

7.
SV Refugees on deck of ship.
0.29

8.
GV Police boarding freighter.
0.32

9.
GV Refugees on deck of ship.
0.37

10.
GV Freighter in Hong Kong harbour.
0.45



Initials VS 21.00



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Burmese freighter, Ava, sailed into Hong Kong harbour on Thursday (22 July) to unload its cargo. But about one hundred Vietnamese refugees on board the ship were not given permission to land by the authorities.

SYNOPSIS: Police launches surrounded the Ava as it sailed in to port. The ship has been anchored in international waters for nearly two weeks after picking up the refugees near the Vietnamese coastline at the beginning of July. Three seriously ill refugees were given permission to enter Hong Kong for medical treatment, but the authorities say the others mist remain on the ship.

A spokesman for the shipowners said they had not been able to find a country in the region willing to accept the refugees. The spokesman added that the Ava had sufficient provisions and water for the present.