CONFIDENTIAL
INTENDS TO UNDERTAKE), TOGETHER WITH PROPER ESTIMATES OF COST OF
CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION. THE UK HAS ALWAYS CONTRIBUTED
RENEROUSLY TO UNHCR OPERATIONS. I 1972, WE GAVE NEARLY POUNDS 7 MILLION, OF WHICH OVER POUNDS 2 BILLION WAS EARMARKED FOR THE UNHCR'S SPECIAL OPERATION ON DEHALF OF REFUGEES IN SOUTH EAST ASIA. FOR 1979, THAT AND CERTAIN OTHER SPECIAL OPERATIONS ARE DEING FIN- ANCED FROM THE UNHOR'S GENERAL PROGRAME, TO WHICH WE HAVE ALREADY FLEDGED FOUNDS 3.5 MILLION.
7. FOR YOUR OWN INFORMATION, WE ARE WELL AWARE OF THE UNHCR'S
PRIVATE KISGIVINGS OVER THIS PROJECT WHICH HE BELIEVES COULD
ACT AS A MAGNET FOR BOAT REFUGEES I THE REGION: VE CONSIDER THIS
TO BE AN OPEN QUESTION, AND THERE ARE BOTH ADVANTAGES AND DRAW- BACKS IN THE SCHEME. THERE COULD WELL BE A RESIDUAL PROBLEM
STRETCHING ON FOR YEARS IF FIRM RESETTLEMENT GUARANTEES ARE NOT OBTAINED FOR ALL REFUGEES WHO ENTER THE CENTRE. ON THE OTHER HAND, IT IS UNREALISTIC TO EXPECT PERMANENT RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES TO GIVE BLANKET RESETTLEMENT GUARANTEES. AND WHAT WILL THE INDON- ESIANS DO WITH BOAT REFUGEES WHO HATE THEIR OWN WAY TO THE ISLAND? WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN REPORTS THAT THE MALAYSIANS ARE POINTING REFUGEE COATS TOWARDS INDONESIA. WILL OTHER ASEAN STATES (ONCE THE ISLAND CENTRE HAS BEEN SET UP) SIMPLY REDIRECT ALL NEW REFUGEE TOAT ARRIVALS TO THE ISLAND? WE WOULD NOT LIKE TO SEE THE ISLAND BECOME A HEANS OF QUEUE-JUMPING FOR SETTLEMENT.
2. PLEASE REPEAT YOUR REPORTING TELEGRAPS TO PARIS WHERE MURRAY
EXPECTS TO DISCUSS ISSUES AT ASIA "ORKING CROUP ON 17-13 WAY
9. REPETITION ADDRESSEES SHOULD CONTINUE TO ENSURE THAT TELEGRAMS ABOUT ANY ASPECT OF THE 100-CHINA REFUGEE PROBLEM ARE REPEATED TO
JAKARTA UNTIL THE CONFERENCE IS OVER.
CARRINGTON
FILE S
COPIES TO
UND
HK & GD
SEAD
FED
SAD
EID (E)
PUSD
OID
IPD
NEWS D MVD
PS
FS/MR LUCE PS/LPS
PS/MR BLAKER
PS/PUS
SIR A DUFF
SIR A PARSONS
MR CORTAZZI
MR J C MOBERLY
MR MURRAY
3
CONFIDENTIAL
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE
MR BURLEIGH.
HOME OFFICE
QUEEN ANNE'S GATE
MR BIRT
HOME OFFICE
LUNAR HOUSE
CROYDON
MR MCGEE FAO ODM
LONDON