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to use the centre for refugees coming from Hong Kong if this fitted in with his operational requirements. Mr Mochtar replied that he hoped that we would not attach too much weight to the word "mainly". He thought it very unlikely that ASEAN would agree to Hong Kong being included formally in the scheme. However things might be different if the UK representative at the Jakarta conference were to say that any UK contribution to the centre would be dependent upon Hong Kong's having access to it; it would then be for ASEAN either to accept or reject a contribution on that basis. (He indicated however that he would find it embarrassing if we were to take this attitude.) He went on to say that he could see no reason whereby there should not be an empirical approach.' If for example it became clear - as it would within say three months of the establishment of the centre that the Philippines were not going to take up their quota, no-one was likely to raise objection if the UNHCR allotted the vacant places to refugees from Hong Kong. Sir James Murray asked if it was really necessary to decide on quotas in advance; could not this matter be left to the discretion of UNHCR? Mr Mochtar replied that it would be politically much easier for the High Commissioner if ASEAN worked out their own quotas beforehand. As ASEAN wanted to restrict the centre to their own use,
Hong Kong was not likely to be given a quota. He appealed to the UK not to put pressure on him to make a public commitment; he would ensure that the line was not drawn too rigidly, but the centre must first serve ASEAN's needs. An understanding on Hong Kong's position could be reached in British fashion "on the quiet". Sir James Murray expressed disappointment and said that we might wish to take the matter up in ASEAN capitals.
3. Mr Mochtar then went on to describe the background to the proposal and where it now stood. Indonesia had for some time been under pressure from ASEAN to offer an island and, given that ASEAN solidarity had to mean something, the Indonesian Government had finally agreed. They had offered an island, which had in the event however turned out to be rather unsuitable, as it had been short of
water. The Indonesian Government recognised that it was vital that the refugees should maintain a reasonable standard of health as
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