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figure includes a pledge of US$ 1 million made by Mr Luard
to the UNHCR during the recent consultations in Geneva.
8.
Hong Kong is in serious difficulties. In addition to a worrying increase in the rate of immigration from China (which
the Chinese authorities have so far been unable to stem
despite their professed willingness to help), it has already admitted some 12,000 refugees and displaced persons from
Vietnam for permanent settlement. There are also about 5,000 "boat refugees" there, most of whom have little prospect of early resettlement. More are arriving all the time. The Huey Fong problem must be seen against this background. The Hong Kong authorities have so far refused to allow the 2,700
refugees on board to land because Hong Kong was not the ship's first port of call and to breach this principle could have serious implications for the future: it is clear that the Hong Kong authorities are already regarded by those organising the refugee traffic as the softest touch in South East Asia.
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9. The authorities in Taiwan have so far declined to accept any responsibility for the refugees on board the Huey Fong although its next port of call was in Taiwan and the ship is Taiwanese owned. The Americans have been very helpful in trying to get the Taiwan Government to stick to the first port of call principle but the break in diplomatic relations has reduced their
leverage.
Ideas for Discussion
10.
At the UNHCR consultations in December on the Indo-China
refugee problem, only Britain and Australia were critical of the Vietnamese Government's actions which have caused the refugees
to flee. The Malaysian Home Affairs Minister subsequently informed Lord Goronwy-Roberts that he was trying to organise an
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