CONFIDENTIAL
2,600 refugees on board the LKYLUCK, which arrived in Hong Kong in February, have still not been allowed to land. Tough new
legislation has been introduced and a number of those involved with the HULY FONG operation (including the ship's captain) have
been charged under it. We have made strong representations to the Vietnamese authorities. These measures seem to have had some effect
but there is little that can be done about small boat refugees. 7. The resettlement of Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong is the responsibility of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), but the resettlement programme is proceeding very slowly:
since 1 January fewer than 3,000 refugees have left Hong Kong for permanent resettlement elsewhere and only 6,000 of the present total are under UNHCR care. We have brought pressure to bear on the UNHCR
to pay more attention to Hong Kong and have also made direct representations to some 20 potential host countries, so far with generally disappointing results. In addition, it was announced in January that the United Kingdon would admit 1,000 Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong to this country for permanent seбtlement. We are also supporting the UNHCR in his search for an international solution to the problem. Among other ideas under discussion is a plan proposed by the ASEAN countries to set up a "processing centre" for Vietnamese refugees on an island which the Indonesian Government
This will be the have offered to make available for this purpose.
subject of a separate submission.
Hong Kong and General Department
8 May 1979