- 5
11.
At the same time, the will on the part of the resettle-
ment countries to continue to offer a sufficient number of places
is being eroded. The UK, Australian and Canadian programmes are
tailing off; and the prospects are that the United States, on whom
Hong Kong now depends for about 75% of all departures, will sub-
stantially reduce the number of places available for 1982.
12.
There is no prospect of a complete end to the out-flow
from Vietnam. Any effective method of discouraging refugees from
coming would involve a degree of brutality towards new arrivals which
would be unacceptable in Hong Kong. Until there is an end to the out-flow,
Hong Kong will continue to fulfil its obligation to provide decent first
asylum for these unfortunate people who at some cost and at great
Hong
personal danger have up-rooted themselves from their homeland.
"ony needs a matching and continuing effort on the part of countries of
resettlement.
Security Branch,
Government Secretariat, Hong Kong.
L/M No. 85/81
24th October, 1981