coor 18-77
RESTRICTED
Mir Stimson
Reference
HKK 243/1
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51
13 DEC 1978
DESK OF S મે
INDEX
UNHCR CONSULTATIONS ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGLES
1.
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REGORY
Action Tan
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·350
12/12
12 DECEMBER
Leve
Mr Humfrey, a member of the consultations, telephoned to say that Mr Luard, in making a speech to the Conference, announced the intention of the United Kingdom to contribute a further US$1m (or the sterling equivalent) to the UNHCR programme on behalf of Indo-Chinese refugees. In his speech, Mr Luard used the Home Office's holding phrase with regard to the resettlement of refugees in the United Kingdom: "the Government is examining urgently and sympathetically the possibility of accepting further refugees from Indo-China"
2.
Mr Humfrey reported that the Thais and Malaysians pressed for more resettlement places to be made available for refugees in their territories. The Malaysians, in particular, wanted the major countries of resettlement to guarantee the resettlement of all those refugees presently in Malaysia. The Vietnamese are represented at the Conference and made a clever speech pointing out that people were leaving Vietnam because of the difficult economic conditions in which the country found itself. Vietnam wanted more economic aid to improve conditions inside Vietnam. China is not represented at the Conference.
3. There were no dramatic announcements of any increased intake of refugees to Western countries. The USA called for more countries to come forward with resettlement offers. The French said they would take 10% more refugees next year. The Netherlands, Sweden, France, Denmark and Norway announced increased financial contributions to UNHCR.
Mr Luard had, apparently, a fair amount to say about the causes of the exodus from Vietnam and pointed to the disturbing reports of money and gold being demanded of the refugees before their departure from Vietnam. Mr Luard also made a plea for ships' Masters to rescue refugees at sea.
He will be
5. Mr Luard made a brief mention of Hong Kong's particular problems with regard to the influx of "boat refugees". giving a press conference in Geneva tonight.
11 December 1978
CC:
Mr Weir
Mr Murray
Mr Simpson-Orlebar
SEAD
HK&GD
MVD
FED
OID
News Dept
RESTRICTED
P Morgan
United Nations Department