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3
155
3
(134)
(contd)
8. New Zealand.
One refugee has gone to New Zealand (his departure was delayed because he had mumps!). We have, incidentally, drawn the attention of the New Zealand Acting Commissioner to the recent statement in Wellington that New Zealand was willing to accept up to 50 Vietnamese families. We hope that some of these would be taken from Hong Kong.
9. Austria, Italy, Japan, Switzerland and Germany have been sympathetic but I know of no acceptances from any of these countries. You will, of course, have seen Rome telegram No. 264 and the best hope from this group probably lies in the success or other- wise of the efforts being made by the Federal German Government to twist the arms of the Lander governments.
10. Pakistan, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, Spain and Portugal.
We are unlikely to have much luck with this group of countries. No one wants to go to Pakistan, although some of our Vietnamese had been married to Pakistani girls. We think, however, they went to Vietnam to escape from them and have no intention of going back! In the light of Stockholm telegram No. 142, the chances of any more going to Sweden are small, particularly as the Swedish Consulate-General has not yet got over the hassle we had with them before they agreed to take the 22 from the m s JAPAN. Norway has a problem because of climate and they already have been obliged to take 83 refugees who were refused entry in Bangkok when they arrived on board a Norwegian ship. Similarly, the Netherlands does not seem a starter because of language and other difficulties. The Spanish and Portuguese representatives have said little, and I doubt if there is much hope there. Some of the Vietnamese might in time find their way to Macau.
11. Thailand.
The Thai Consul-General has made it abundantly clear that under the declared policy of Bangkok there is no chance of his government being willing to accept any of our refugees, regardless of whether they claim to have connections with Thailand.
12.
Denmark.
The Honorary Vice-Consul has received the text of the Danish Government's statement in Copenhagen telegram No. 162 but her resources are so slight that
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