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RECEIVED IN REGNTVED. 51
VISIT BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO WASHINGTON: 1-4 FEBRUARY
BRIEF NO. 8A: SOUTH EAST ASIA
K
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE
LINE TO TAKE
N2
заг
1. I continue to be concerned at the increasing numbers of
refugees leaving Vietnam and at the racket in which the
Vietnamese authorities are involved to encourage the exodus
for payment. I recently complained to the Vietnamese
Ambassador about this.
2. Hong Kong is particularly vulnerable and the Governor is
worried about the build up of refugees there. I am grateful
for American understanding and assistance in resettling people
from Hong Kong. We are doing what we can, but our ability
to absorb significant numbers of refugees is severely limited.
We shall continue to give our full support to the UN High
Commissioner for Refugees in his efforts to find solutions to
this problem.
BACKGROUND
3. The Governor in Hong Kong is concerned at the increasing
numbers of Vietnamese boat people arriving in the Colony.
Countries in the region are becoming saturated with Vietnamese
refugees and the offers of resettlement places for them from
the international community do not match the numbers of new
refugee arrivals. The Governor has asked whether the time is
ripe for an Anglo/American Plan and whether Anglo/American
discussions might be the best way to launch it. He asks that
CONFIDENTIAL
/the