CONFIDENTIAL
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HKK 24
DAY 10. 51
19 FEB 1979
M. Qufivni
Mr
سال
PA
VERA PARA
Action en
Lord Goronwy-Roberts
Mo
Jea.
Ceramy
now!
AN ISLAND PROCESSING CENTRE FOR INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES
1. We should first recognise that we are dealing here with a fanciful proposal which is almost unrealisable, at least in its present form, since it will certainly be impossible to meet the main condition imposed by Indonesia (that places should already have been promised for all those accepted in the island) It is most improbable that Indonesia would maintain her offer without this condition being met since she would then only place herself in the highly unfavourable situation from which Malaysia, Thailand and Hong Kong are trying desperately to extricate themselves; and I therefore think it likely that the whole idea will fairly soon fall to the ground.
(But we should immediately press Mochtar on his remarks recorded in Jakarta tel no 59 to clarify this).
2.
But I accept that we should seek to establish some position on the matter. On political grounds the need to look positive and open-minded about any new idea on this and for the sake of our relations with ASEAN - I think we should try to look fairly positive. But we cannot avoid stressing the basic point I have raised above: that the proposal is totally unrealistic unless it is confirmed it includes the acceptance of refugees who may not already have a place promised to them. Insistence on this might reduce the enthusiasm of Indonesia and others for the project and so eliminate it from discussion (it might also reduce the political benefits of appearing positive). But the point is so fundamental that it must be confronted from the start.
3.
The Governor of Hong Kong has made it clear that he approves the idea. This is understandable since Hong Kong has much the same interest as Malaysia and Thailand: We cannot ignore Hong Kong's interests in deciding our attitude. But it is possible that Hong Kong's protests too much on this issue (even given her permanent refugee problem). There is absolutely no financial burden on Hong Kong in accepting boat-peoplo; nor the political and ethnic difficulty which concerns Malaysia and to some extent Thailand. Its problem is purely one of accommodation which would of course arise equally in any new island chosen (indeed one might ask the Governor, if he is so enthusiastic about the scheme, if he would contribute one of Hong Kong's uninhabited islands provided the UNHCR paid for necessary accommodation).