HKCS
↑
SHEET NO
2
.C
c)
Mr. Opdahl stated that more than 2,000 refugees are already in Norway and that it is expected that the quota of 3,000 will be filled by the
end of 1980. Whether there will be another quota extension is not
known yet.
A selection team will proceed to the Far East at the end of May to
check on family reunion cases. Hong Kong is included and, so far,
17 family reunion cases are known to be in Hong Kong. Mr. Opdahl offered little hope that the policy of his government would be
changed in favour of Hong Kong.
We were surprised to see that the voluntary sector is not at all
actively involved in policy decisions in regard to the establishment
of quotas and the integration of refugees.
Various reasons were given to us: the remote geographical position
of Norway, which, in the past, had no dealings with refugees with
Asian background. Norwegians are uncertain and reluctant to face
up to this problem. It is difficult for Norwegians to make allowances
to people of different cultures which prevents the building up of normal interpersonal relationships.
Members of the Norwegian Interchurch Aid, Caritas and the Norwegian
Refugee Council, as well as individuals expressed concern that
government does not provide opportunities for active participation
by the voluntary sector.
Despite this rather negative picture efforts should continue via
diplomatic channels, Caritas, Interchurch Aid and the Norwegian
Refugee Council to bring about a change of attitude resulting in
the acceptance of refugees not only from ships but from countries
of first asylum as well.
********