CONFIDENTIAL
MR LUCE'S VISIT TO HONG KONG : 24 TO 28 SEPTEMBER 1983
BRIEF NO 4 : VIETNAMESE REFUGEES
POINTS TO MAKE
1.
Hong Kong's record as a place of first asylum is second to
none. Sympathise with burden you have had to shoulder. Impressed by standards Hong Kong maintains, especially in closed camps.
2.
Pleased that new arrivals are down this year.
Hope trend
continues.
3.
HMG anxious to do all we can for Hong Kong but further UK
quota unlikely at present. Very few boat people wish to come to UK:
few historical or cultural ties.
For use with Officials only
4.
5.
[If raised] Do not think it would have been appropriate for
HMG to attend Honolulu Conference. Only invited at last minute.
But will continue dialogue with main resettlement states and UNHCR;
hope to attend any further meetings.
6.
Honolulu.
[If raised] Understand voluntary repatriation discussed at
Support this in principle, and hope UNHCR can encourage more cases. But seems more appropriate for refugees in Thailand than boat people in Hong Kong. Accept it can only be pursued as part of wider policy.
7.
[If raised). Forcible repatriation not acceptable.
CONFIDENTIAL
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