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CONFIDENTIAL
with the numbers leaving Vietnam.
Unless the Vietnamese
Government were to moderate its repressive internal policies
the flow will continue.
3.
There are about one million people of Chinese origin inside Vietnam; these, and an indeterminate number of ethnic
Vietnamese, might flee if conditions do not change substantially.
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Consultations on the Indo-Chinese refugee problem were called by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on 11 and 12 December. (Mr Luard represented the United Kingdom). Though useful, these talks provided no real solutions. Some
5,000 additional resettlement places were pledged and additional
financial contributions amounting to US$ 12 million were announced to help the UNHCR cope with the increasing numbers. The United States earlier announced an increase in its own
intake of Indo-Chinese refugees in 1979 from 25,000 to 50,000. Despite this generous offer, more needs to be done.
5.
The United Kingdom's contribution to a solution has not been
insignificant. Our ability, however, to absorb considerable
numbers of refugees is limited given the Government's commitment to receiving families of immigrants, particularly from the sub- continent, and British passport-holders from East Africa.
6. The British Government has accepted an open-ended commitment of ultimate responsibility for all refugees rescued by UK-
registered vessels who cannot be resettled elsewhere. In addition, the Home Secretary is examining urgently and sympathetically the possibility of admitting further groups of "boat refugees", particularly to help alleviate the burdens on Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong.
7. In 1978 the British Government pledged nearly £7 million to the UNHCR for refugees throughout the world. Of this, over
£2 million has been earmarked for Indo-Chinese refugees. The
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COMBINUMME AI