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LEVER TO GAIN ACCEPTANCE OF REFUGEES FROM HONG KONG. H OF C SAID THAT THE UK HAD ALREADY MADE A FINANCIAL COMMIT 'ENT AT THE GENEVA CONFERENCE FOR THE SOUTH EAST ASIAN REGION, WITHOUT PRE-CONDITIONS AS FAR AS HE KNEW. PAEFFGEN SEEMED UNSURE IF THE RPC WOULD BE FIRA- CED FROM GENERAL UNHCR FUNDS (INCLUDING PART OF THE SPECIAL UK GRANT) BUT MENTIONED THAT JAPAN HAD OFFERED TO CONTRIBUTE A SUBSTAN- TIAL AMOUNT SPECIFICALLY TO THE RPC.
BOTH THE PHILIPPINE AUTHORITIES AND THE UNHCR ARE STILL FEELING THEIR WAY AND WE BELIEVE IT WOULD BE TIMELY TO PRESS OUR CASE BEFORE THINGS ARE MUCH FURTHER ADVANCED. WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR GUIDANCE ON THE FINANCIAL ASPECTS AND HOW MUCH FARTHER WE SHOULD 00 TO ENSURE THE ACCEPTABILITY IN PRINCIPLE OF REFUGEES FROM HONG KONG, I THINK WE SHOULD MOVE CAUTIOUSLY ON THIS AND HAVE DUE REGARD TO PHILIPPINE SENSIBILITIES AND THE FACT THAT THEIR OFFER OF AN RPC WAS DOUBTLESS PARTLY MADE TO IMPRESS ASEAN AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY. PAEFFGEN IS CALLING ON ME ON FRIDAY.
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