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B8 VIETNAMESE REFUGEES: HONG KONG OFFICIAL'S STATEMENT
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8/5
CRADIO HONG KONG) A NEWS AGENCY REPORT FROM WASHINGTON QUOTES THE STATE DEPARTMENT AS SAYING THAT DENMARK AND HONG KONG SHOULD ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR NEARLY 3,000 SOUTH VIETNAMESE BROUGHT HERE AT THE WEEKEND BY A DANISH FREIGHTER WHICH PICKED THEM UP AFTER THEY WERE SHIPWRECKED ABOUT 100 MILES SOUTH OF SAIGON WHILE FLEEING FROM THE VIETCONG.
THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR. ROWLANDS, SAID TODAY THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED THE WELFARE OF THE REFUGEES A HUMANITARIAN PROBLEM FOR THE WHOLE WORLD. HE SAID THE USA AND CANADA HAD BEEN ASKED TO HELP RESETTLE THE VIETNAMESE, AND OTHER GOVERNMENTS AND AGENCIES WERE BEING APPROACHED.
MR. ROWLANDS SAID THAT HONG KONG WAS A CROWDED PLACE ALREADY +
BUT HE DID NOT RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME OF THE VIETNAMESE WHO HAD FAMILY TIES WITH THE TERRITORY STAYING HERE.
END BBC MON 0747 6/5 G.T. (WA)
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