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5. I asked whether the UNHCR would be able to process the Sibonga refugees quickly if Ministers agreed that the Governor should be given the assurance for which he had asked. Mr Davies said
there could be no guarantee about this; despite the Hong Kong Government's pleas there had been no reinforcement of the UNHCR's staff, and only 9,000 - admittedly a small improvement - of the 32,00 refugees
now in Hong Kong were under UNHCR care. I also asked whether there would be a problem in persuading those Sibonga refugees not accepted by the US to agree to resettlement in Britain. Mr Davies said this
was possible: most refugees from Vietnam were only interested in
resettlement in North America.
23 May 1979
R JT McLaren
Hong Kong & General Department
Copies to: Mr Cortazzi
UND SEAD
Mr D H J Hilary
Immigration & Nationality Dept
Home Office
Lunar House CROYDON
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2.