Japan taker. few LIF
the Gomersall has phoned Chris Segar SEAD
about this; he will shake low-lever Inquires in Washington
in Washington + will send factual reply to HK - If HK. pren to be represented,
Je fus have to consider further
GPS
CONFIDENTIAL
95
but this conf. appears to
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG 270740Z JUL 83
TO PRIORITY WASHINGTON
TELEGRAM NUMBER 17 OF 27 JULY 1983
be only for realement states.
Aishaller
ра
INFO PRIORITY HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON, FCO AND UKMIS
GENEVA
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG
1. WE HAVE JUST SEEN REPORTS OF A HIGH LEVEL MEETING TO BE HELD
IN HONOLULU DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST TO DISCUSS RESETTLEMENT OF INDOCHINESE REFUGEES. US REPRESENTATIVES WILL INCLUDE ATTORNEY
GENERAL WILLIAM FRENCH SMITH, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE PURCELL,
AND AMBASSADOR DOUGLAS. REPRESENTATIVES AT MINISTERIAL LEVEL FROM CANADA, FRANCE, AUSTRALIA, AND JAPAN WILL ALSO ATTEND. WE DO NOT
KNOW IF HMG HAS BEEN INVITED.
2. US CONSULATE GENERAL HERE HAS BEEN RATHER UNFORTHCOMING ON WHAT WILL BE DISCUSSED AND WHO ELSE HAS BEEN INVITED. WE ARE INTERESTED
TO SEE FOR INSTANCE THAT JAPAN, WHICH IS MORE A PLACE OF FIRST ASYLUM THAN A COUNTRY OF RESETTLEMENT, IS ATTENDING, AND WE WONDER
IF HONG KONG AS A PLACE OF ASYLUM MIGHT ALSO SEND AN OBSERVER OR AT THE VERY LEAST ENSURE THAT OUR CASE IS HEARD. THE THAIS, MALAYSIANS AND OTHERS WILL NO DOUBT ALREADY BE DOING SO. THE REASON FOR THIS
IS OUR GROWING CONCERN THAT CURRENT HIGH ARRIVAL RATES IN MALAYSIA
AND INDONESIA MAY OTHERWISE INDUCE RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES TO DIVERT
THEIR LIMITED ASSISTANCE FURTHER FROM HONG KONG.
no ylum Cases not apparently Comparable with H.K. They
agents"!
act as"
more
for American's refugee menes,
or len
3. GRATEFUL FOR ANY BACKGROUND YOU CAN URGENTLY PROVIDE ON THIS
MEETING.
YOUDE
BOAT PEOPLE
LIMITED
HKK 243/2.
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
16 AUG 1933
DESK OFFICER INDEX
PS/LADY YOUNG PS/MR LUCE PS/PUS
SEAD
HKD
UND
FED
PUSD
NEWS D
MR DONALD
MAED
PS
MR WRIGHT
MR GIFFARD
MR ADAMS
MR URE
REGISTRY
(REPEATED AS REQUESTED)
PA
Action Taken
"ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION
BOAT PEOPLE
COPIES TO
CONFIDENTIAL
HKGO, LONDON