UNCLASSIFIED
THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
PMVH(81) 7
20 February 1981
HKK
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RECOWHY NOY NG. 51
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DESK OFFICER
W
INDEX
REGISTRY
PA
Acron Taken
II.
For 24/2
PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES
25-28 FEBRUARY 1981
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES
Brief by:
F.C.O.
See
12
POINTS TO MAKE (DEFENSIVE)
1. Greatly appreciate US record of resettlement from Hong
Kong.
2. UK quota agreed in July 1979 nearing completion.
Review
of position will follow visit to Hong Kong by Lord Carrington
at end of March.
BACKGROUND
1. The US have taken over 33,000 Vietnamese refugees from
Hong Kong, more than three times the UK figure. Over 21,000
of these left Hong Kong in 1980, out of a total of 37,500
departures to all destinations. Continued US offtake at
current levels (1,500 a month) is essential for the reduction
of the present residue of around 20,000 to a minimal figure
late this year.
However, a Congressional committee in late
1980 made it clear that they believed the US effort was not
being matched by other Western countries, and Mr Muskie wrote
to the Secretary of State in December pressing for a further
UK quota.
2. The new US Administration has yet to indicate whether it
will continue the generous but expensive existing programme of
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/14,000
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