HKK 243/1
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RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
2 OCT 1978
233 4439
DESK OFFICER INDEX
PA
REGORY Action Ten
ах
I C Orr Esq
Government Secretariat
HONG KONG
196
29 September 1978
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES : THE MACAU FACILITY
1. At a recent meeting with representatives of British voluntary organisations, which Pat organ attended, Miss Joyce Pearce of the Ockenden Venture suggested that her organisation might be able to help in increasing the facilities for refugees in Macau.
2. Her idea was that, subject to some financial help being made available, some staff of the Venture might go to Macau to help UNHCR staff. The Venture already has experience in Macau and is aware of the potential there for receiving more refugees.
3. This suggestion is still very much in its infancy but Miss Pearce has undertaken to write to Ministers repeating her offer. If she does so I would be inclined to suggest that we take her up on it. I understand that there is a good chance that we could find the necessary funds, which are unlikely to be substantial. To be prepared for any formal offer I would be grateful for your views, and if you think it appropriate, the preliminary and unofficial views of the US and UNHCR representatives in Hong Kong together with, if possible, those of the Macanese.
4. On the more general question of Vietnamese refugees I am mindful that we owe you a progress Report. Now that arrangements for receiving the first group of 61 are well in hand we have been turning our thoughts to what other assistance we could offer. Our hope is that we might be able to accept, over a period of about a year, say 500 refugees, the bulk of them from Hong Kong with some from Malaysia and Thailand. Again the problem is likely to be obtaining funds but there is some cause for optimism that such funds will eventually be forthcoming. In fairness I can hold out no hope that this will be in the near future. I shall, of course, keep you informed.
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Mr Morgan UND
J Thompson
Hong Kong & General Department
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