CONFIDENTIAL #
1.
(
(c) The public would generally favour
such a course and probably would not
accept less since all persons who enter
Hong Kong illegally from China are
repatriated; and
(d) There is also the very real danger that,
in the face of greatly reduced
resettlement places overseas, Hong Kong
which alone in the Region allows
its refugees the freedom of open camps
and local employment, will become the
main attraction for these refugees who
do manage to leave Vietnam, and possibly be
viewed by them as a place of permanent
resettlement.
Public Reaction
33.
The public reaction to the proposals to
detain Vietnamese refugees in closed camps since
they were floated a month ago has been most favourable.
A few social workers have criticized the proposals
as being harsh. But in general, the proposals have
been welcomed as a demonstration of the Government's
determination to come to grips with the Vietnamese
refugee problem. An announcement that plans for the
establishment of closed camps will be implemented will
get local support despite the extra cost and provided
that UNHCR contributes.
1340