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5. THE OTHER MAIN ISSUE DISCUSSED WAS THE BBALANCE BETWEEN UNICA AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SELECTION OF CANDIDATES FOR THE VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL RESETTLEMENT PROGRAMMES, UNHCR CLAIMED THAT IT COULD CAUSE ONLY CONFUSION, TO HONG KONG'S ULTIMATE DISADVANTAGE, IF VISITING INTERNATIONAL TEAMS SELECTED THEIR OWN SETTLERS DIRECT FROM CAMPS (AND BY IMPLICATION WITH ASSISTANCE FROM US) BUT WITHOUT REFERENCE TO UNHCR. I POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY TO GET REFUGEES RESETTLED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND THEREFORE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL RESETTLEMENT OFFERS EVEN IF NOT MADE THROUGH UNHCR, E.G. CANADA.
6. TO MEET THIS SITUATION WE AGREED THAT A CENTRALISED RESETTLE- MENT REGISTER SHOULD BE MAINTAINED BY UNHCR BUT WITH ACCESS TO IT BY OFFICERS OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR PURPOSE OF MONITORING PROGRESS AND AS FAR AS POSSIBLE PREVENTING DUPLICATION OF RESETTLEMENT OFFERS.
7. WE ARE NOW PUTTING IN HAND THE NECESSARY MACHINERY TO IMPLEMENT THIS AGREEMENT.
8. THIS OUTCOME IS FAIRLY SATISFACTORY. WE DID NOT PRESS FOR A REFUND OF THE EXPENSES THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS INCURRED IN ITS OWN AND THE UNHCR CAMPS, AMOUNTING TO £7 (SEVEN) MILLION. WE REMAIN CONCERNED AT THE SLOWNESS OF UNHCR ADMINISTRATION IN HONG KONG BUT HOPE THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS IN PARAGRAPH 5
WILL ASSIST.
MACLEHOSE
FILE S
SEAD
HK & GD
UND
FED
EESD
NAM D
SAD
MAED
EID
FUSD
OID
IPD
NEWS D MD
PS PS/LPS PS/MR HURD PS/MR BLAKER
PS/PUS
SIR A DUFF
SIR A PARSONS
MR CORTAZZI
MR MURRAY
MR STRATTON"
LORD NG LENNOX
MR FERGUSSON
MR PREWELL
2
PRIBUTION
ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION BOAT PEOPLE
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