D, E, F, G
4.
H
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We have now received replies to these telegrams.
The
None of the Governments approached were very receptive to the proposal that they should accept more Vietnamese refugees.
Americans made it clear that they do now classify a high
proportion of those awaiting resettlement in Hong Kong as
economic migrants, and that these fall outside their criteria
for resettlement.
I
5.
The Australians expressed interest in the idea of a
multilateral approach to the Vietnamese about the ODP, but the
French, the Canadians and in particular the Americans were
sceptical. The US Government are reluctant to participate a
because of the shortcomings of the ODP, which they believe does
not get to the heart of the refugee problem.
6.
The UNHCR want to help, but are becoming increasingly
despondent about the possibilities for resettlement. They
believe that the problems of the residue will cause increasing concern until the point is reached, perhaps in three to five years, when resettlement countries can be sure that the problem
is in sight of a conclusion.
7.
A multilateral approach to the Vietnamese Government
about the ODP is unlikely to be worthwhile without US backing. The Americans think that in the end Hong Kong's problem may have to be solved by an element of "safe repatriation" under UNHCR
auspices (paragraph 3 of Washington telegram number 1408).
Separately the UNHCR's Director of Assistance commented that, while he considered the return of refugees to be politically unrealistic at present, it was important to keep the concept of
ultimate return alive.
J
8.
On 28 March, Mr Holmes recorded that the Secretary of
State was not persuaded of the merits of a direct approach by HMG to the Vietnamese on the question of repatriation. Some of the problems might however be removed if the UNHCR were willing to make the approach. If the UNHCR obtained satisfactory assurances from the Vietnamese, we would be able to consider
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