RESTRICTED
HKK 224312
RECEIVED IN ASGAOL, Y NO.
0 5 DEC 1980
DER IND.
90ER
PA
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1A 2AH
ав
DH J Hilary Esq The Home Office Lunar House
40 Wellesley Road CROYDON CR9 2BY
Year
Hilary,
Mr. William sin
3 December 1980
We
may
need t
спуши
by phone about this
hommor p.im
(Thins)
I
Done
3/12
·PAJ 4.12
HONG KONG: VIETNAMESE REFUGEES: VISIT OF THE UNITED NAZONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES TO LONDON
U
We have seen your craft brief for the meetings which aling, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, is to have next week with the Prime Minister and Lord Carrington.
We believe that the order and balance of the defensive points to make on the UK resettlement programme could give
Eartling the impression that a decision has already been made on the question of a new UK quota for Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong. I know that you are very much aware from the Home Secretary's discussion with the Governor of the risk that this could damage Hong Kong's chances of obtaining new quotas from third countries. The Americans indeed have said that they will have to reconsider their position if we do not continue our programme.
My Secretary of State is anxious at this stage that M Hartling should not go away with the impression that any decision has been taken on a new quota (paragraph 2 of Morrice's letter of 28 November to Head). We realise that he will already be aware of the difficulties, but if the initial stress is laid on these, he could mistakenly set in train a sequence of events to the detriment of Hong Kong's handling of this difficult problem. I suggest, therefore, that that part of the brief be amended as follows:-
'Possibility of a further quota (defensive only)
Directing efforts to fulfilment of 10,000 quota from Hong Kong. No decision yet on new quota. take UNHCR's views into account but there re practical iculties such as housing.
hone
28s.
car agres to something on these lines for
Yours sincerely,
Alan Conald
A E Donald
STED