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4.
On the "protest" letters regarding Hong Kong's closed camps, suffice it to say that the Chairman allowed me ample opportunity to speak and members gave a patient and sympathetic hearing. In the briefing, I kept closely to points in my letter of 8th September to Dr Martin Barber, BRC and in para 2 above.
5.
There are just two other developments worth mentioning.
6. DS for S Patrick Williamson had apparently attended UNHCR Executive Committee's Annual Meeting this month. This was the first I have heard of Hong Kong's attendance but perhaps you or Commissioner had prior knowledge?
7.
In any case, according to Dr Martin Barber who has just returned from that meeting, the UK Permanent Representa- tive's statement :
(a) urged resettlement countries to take more from
Hong Kong; but
(16
(b)
gave no positive indication of what relief UK might offer; and
(c)
was therefore unlikely to be taken seriously by the other countries.
A copy of this statement, obtained from BRC, is attached and the relevant paragraph has been side-lined on page 3 for your easier reference.
8.
The BRC Asia Committee is setting up an ad hoc informal group to examine means of tackling "root causes" for the Vietnamese refugee problem, including a possible approach to the Vietnam ambassador in UK.
9. The second significant development is an appeal by BRC Chairman, Sir Arthur Peterson, to the Home Secretary two weeks ago :
(a) to seek a broadening of the criteria for
Vietnamese refugee family reunions from Hong Kong and other countries of first asylum; and
(b)
to suggest, on behalf of Ockenden Venture and Save the Children Fund, a joint intake of 40 unaccompanied Vietnamese children in Hong Kong.
A copy of BRC's letter is attached.
.../10.
There