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RECEIVED IN HEGISTRY
20 SEP 1983
DESK ORE DOES
INGUN
PA
REGISTRY
Action Taken
JCONE
CONFIDENTI
DD 200100Z HONG KONG
GRS 260
CONFIDENTIAL
DESKBY 200100Z
FM FCO 191600Z SEPT 83
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELEGRAM NUMBER 926 OF 19 SEPTEMBER
FOR LEEKS, SECURITY BRANCH
1.
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JOHN POWLEY MP HAS WRITTEN TO MR LUCE ENCLOSING A LETTER
FROM REV J S DRUMMOND, MEMBER OF EXECUTIVE OF NORWICH COUNCIL
OF CHURCHES ABOUT VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG. DRUMMOND
SAYS HE VISITED JUBILEE CAMP IN APRIL/MAY 1983 AND THAT QUOTE
CONDITIONS WERE APPALLING. THERE WERE 3000 PEOPLE IN THE
BUILDINGS, WHICH I EXPECT WERE BUILT FOR SOMETHING LIKE 40 FAMILIES.
THE SPACE ALLOCATED TO EACH FAMILY WAS A SHELF ABOUT THE SIZE OF
A DOUBLE BED, AND THESE WERE IN TIERS UNQUOTE. DRUMMOND SAYS
THAT QUOTE SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO SAVE THESE POOR PEOPLE
FROM WHAT IS VIRTUAL IMPRISONMENT UNQUOTE.
2.
WE PROPOSE TO SUGGEST REPLY ON FOLLOWING LINES:
3.
QUOTE ALTHOUGH THE NUMBERS FLEEING BY BOAT FROM VIETNAME
HAVE CONTINUED TO FALL THIS YEAR THERE HAS BEEN AN EVEN
SHARPER FALL IN THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESETTLEMENT OF THE
REFUGEES IN THE WEST, AND AUTHORITIES IN HONG KONG HAVE HAD
TO COPE WITH A RISE IN THEIR REFUGEE POPULATION TO OVER 13,600 IN WHAT IS ALREADY ONE OF THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED
AREAS OF THE WORLD.
IN THESE DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES, THEY PROVIDE IN CONJUNCTION
WITH CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS CARITAS, TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION FOR THE REFUGEES, INCLUDING BASIC HEALTH CARE
AND WELFARE SERVICES. THE CAMPS ARE RUN WITH THE FULL
COOPERATION OF THE UNHCR, WHO CONTRIBUTE TO THE EXPENSES
UNQUOTE.
GRATEFUL COMMENTS OR ALTERNATIVE SUGGESTIONS DESKBY
201200Z.
HOWE
DISTRIBUTION
MINIMAL
HKD
SEAD
CONFIDENTIAL
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