CONFIDENTIAL
2.
4. Given the degree of interest shown by Dr. CHUNG - and I fear that this interest is going to increase as the movement of refugees out of Hong Kong dwindles over the next month or so - I hope you can ensure that early consideration is given by the Home Office to these applications and that some if not all of them can be approved in the near future. As I think you will be aware, it is very important for local opinion to see that we are doing our best to try and move the refugees on and that other countries, in particular Britain, are prepared to help us. I would not like to exaggerate the emotions which could be aroused if there is no sign of any movement to Britain, and I am aware that the U. K. have in fact already taken a number of Vietnamese refugees since the fall of Saigon, albeit mainly from the camps in Guam, some of whom transitted through Hong Kong. But it would be a pity if local feeling were to be aroused on this issue simply for the sake of 75 odd entry visas to the U. K. It is not, after all, a case where any dangerous precedent might be set by allowing these applications to go forward since I think everyone realises, certainly here, that the fall of Vietnam has created a special situation which is not likely to be repeated. Indeed, as a result of recent dep- artures elsewhere, the number may actually now be less than 75.
5.
It would also be helpful as regards our efforts to persuade other countries to take the Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong, if the U. K. could accept speedily those who have applied to go there. There is an inevitable tendency for people to compare the efforts of one country with another when discussing this subject and we have, for instance, already been under a certain amount of pressure from the U. N. H. C. R. rep- resentative here on the issue of why Britain has not yet taken any refugees. It is important that we should be in the strongest possible position to bid for international help, when it comes to dealing with the unfortunate residue who are likely to be left behind in Hong Kong after the first wave of refugees has gone and any apparent holding back by the U. K. will not help us in this respect.
6.
Although Legislative Council has now adjourned, I would be grate- ful for an early reply on these points, since they could well be raised in Executive Council meetings over the next few weeks.
Yous Ever.
Like
(M. D. A. Clinton)
Acting Colonial Secretary.
CONFIDENTIAL