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:
(B) TO SEEK THEIR VIEWS ON THE MERITS OF A JOINT APPROACH TO
THE VIETNAMESE TO POINT OUT THE
PROBLEMS BEING CAUSED BY THE CONTINUING OUTFLOW OF REFUGEES, AND
TO URGE VIETNAM TO INCREASE THEIR EFFORTS TO ARRANGE DEPARTURE
THROUGH THE ODP.
(C) TO URGE RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES TO TAKE MORE REFUGEES FROM
HONG KONG, AND NOT TO REJECT APPLICANTS AS ECONOMIC MIGRANTS
RATHER THAN REFUGEES, AS THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT IF RETURNED THEY
WOULD BE SUBJECT TO PERSECUTION.
4. WE SHOULD PROBABLY RECOMMEND AS WELL AN ADDITIONAL AND
PARALLEL APPROACH TO THE US AUTHORITIES DESCRIBING OUR OWN
CONSIDERATION AND REJECTION OF INVOLUNTARY REPATRIATION AND
EMPHASISING THE DIFFICULTIES THIS CAUSES FOR HONG KONG.
5. WE DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE PROBLEMS BUT WE BELIEVE THAT
THIS APPROACH IS WORTH TRYING. WE SHALL NO DOUBT BE ASKED WHAT
HMG IS PREPARED TO DO TO HELP. IF SO, WE WOULD SAY THAT UK HAS
NOT BEEN A POPULAR DESTINATION, AND MANY RESETTLEMENTS HERE HAVE
NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL. THERE IS NO PROSPECT OF A FURTHER UK
QUOTA, ALTHOUGH HMG WILL CONTINUE TO ACCEPT SHIP RESCUE AND
FAMILY REUNION CASES, AS WELL AS ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE ODP. 6.
GRATEFUL FOR ANY COMMENTS YOU MAY HAVE ON THIS APPROACH.
IF RECEIVED DESKBY 11080OZ, WE WILL BE ABLE TO FEED THEM INTO
THE MEETING WITH LORD BELSTEAD.
PYM
NNNN
DISTRIBUTION
LIMITED
HKGD
SEAD
UND
MR DONALD
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