ра
(77)
URGENT
Our Ref: VR/MISC
Miss Olivia Walker
Foreign and Commonwealth Office, HKGD
King Charles Street
London SW1
Dear Olivia
Hong Kong
Government Office
香港政府駐英辦事處
These comments were
Faken into account
UND when brighing
by
UK Mis Genevanity).
(UND have copy)
juk
Copy
26 May 1983
copy, to SEAD (Mr segar),
UNHCR Memorandum
MAED.
Mú
Me thontgomery Port, Immigr. +
On Rescue At Sea Resettlement Offers (RASRO)
Natachty
Dept, Home office
Many thanks for sight of the UNHCR proposals. As you know, I have consulted Security Branch in Hong Kong and
am in a position to give Hong Kong's view on the proposed RASRO scheme.
In general terms, the proposed scheme would give Hong Kong as a "coastal state" no advantage or improvement over the present system. Indeed, the disadvantages are considerable. We must register our serious reservations about the RASRO proposals. The disadvantages, and points of uncertainty, to Hong Kong are set out below (not in any particular order of importance).
If the scheme were introduced, UNHCR would suggest that coastal states consider waiving or easing the 90-day limit on the strength of a UNHCR guarantee for the boat rescues' "timely removal" and ultimate resettlement. The effect is likely to be boat rescues staying longer in Hong Kong, at greater cost not just to UNHCR (for maintenance) but also to Hong Kong (for all other costs, eg staff, land, building and other hidden subsidy). Financial considerations apart, Hong Kong would face a worse accommodation problem : as you know, Hong Kong is already finding grave difficulty in accommodating the Vietnamese arrivals in Hong Kong.
As for UNHCR's "guarantee" for timely removal and ultimate resettlement, we fear that the good intentions
HKCK 243/2.
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
17 JUN 1983
... would
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
REGISTRY
PA
Action Taken
6 Grafton Street London W1X 3LB
Telephone: 01-499 9821
Telex: 28404