•
CONFIDENTIAL
3
-
But even if a US announcement of the new measures
did get the message across, Hong Kong would continue to be an attraction in its own right. PA commented that in other words, Hong Kong risked losing out both ways: Mr Cushing readily admitted that the US had
treated Hong Kong less generously than others, "because you behave decently". He hinted however that they would be ready to "give generous consideration" to the problem of old disqualified cases. The US would however need to be cautious about this, since refugees resettled from Hong Kong had in the past seemed far too well off to fit the image of a genuine refugee in the eyes of the American public.
4.
Mr Cushing noted that there was a danger that Hong Kong would be seen as an attractive country of asylum or resettlement unless steps were taken to make reception here less attractive. S for S and PA agreed, and remarked that Hong Kong was studying the situation closely with a view to considering the options now open in the light of the changing circumstances.
Security Branch
Government Secretariat Hong Kong
Date : 2 April 1982
File: CR 11/4821/79
Distribution :
S for S
PA
DPA
D of I (Attn Mr Chadderton)
C/RCC
HKGO, London
(Mrs Helen Yu)
CONFIDENTIAL
FCO: P.J. Williamson Esq, HKGD
T.c.s.Stitt,Esq.,SEAD
Chanceries :
Washington
UKMIS Geneva
Singapore
Kuala Lumpur
Jakarta
Manila
Bangkok Hanoi