(b) We are already in touch with the
US and Canadian Governments but we would urgently appeal to the Government to which you are accredited to help in absorbing this influx. We ourselves have agreed, despite our own immigration problems of which everyone must be aware, to do our share.
(c) Canberra only. I was pleased to see press reports of Senator Willisee's support for an international programme to care for Vietnamese refugees and of Australia's offer to contribute a fair share. We hope that he can bear in mind the particular difficulties for Hong Kong.
(a) Copenhagen only. The Hong Kong
Government were glad to be able to be of help to the Master of the Clara Maersk in his humanitarian task; but I hope that the Danish authorities will be ready to settle at least some of those who were picked up as part of the international effort to settle these people.
(e) Stockholm only. The Hong Kong authorities had regretfully to refuse admission to refugees from the MS Japan except for those whom it could not, for humanitarian reasons, turn away. This decision was taken for the most compelling reasons. and I have agreed with it. We hope that the Swedish authorities will be prepared to accept these people as part of a humanitarian task in which Hong Kong, despite its difficulties, is shouldering so large a share i
2.
Please report local reaction as soon as
possible.
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