TRALIA
Please quote in reply
Branch:
Political
Our Ref: 840/6/8, 802/7
Direct enquiry 01-438 8200
(38.3
R&R SCORRI
AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION
AUSTRALIA HOUSE
STRAND
WC2B 4LA
:
LONDON
TEL. 01-438 8000
1) M Nash
-plaHKD
Перз
Pater; apy
Ѣ нк:)
the back to me
Evember
LK 43/2
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
13 NOV 1965
a dft with them (?a the H.)
a sintable reply.
1985
2) MH millend-tran
Voli
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
NCGISTRY
PA
Action Taken
Dear David,
You will be aware of the recent Australian Government decision to increase its intake of Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong by a further two hundred to a total of six hundred for the current program year and perhaps even further in the light of developments.
We have been asked to make the following
points to you in elaboration of the Australian decision:
this wid Ho.
mean
Australia has acknowledged Hong Kong's difficult refugee situation by agreeing to resettle some 5,000 refugees from there in the period since 1975.
Australia appreciates the special difficulties that are faced by Britain in accepting Large numbers of refugees and welcomes your recent decision to take increased numbers from Hong Kong for resettlement.
Because Australia does not have an unlimited capacity to accept refugees nor the capacity to make major changes within the current refugee program, the announced increase in the size of our intake of Indo-Chinese refugees from Hong Kong should be seen as in the nature of a special gesture which, while recognising the increased British involvement, does not necessarily imply any future commitment on our part.
Australia would like to register its view that refugee matters can involve reciprocal interest. Australia may from time to time in the future seek British assistance in resettling individual
cases.
The above initiative notwithstanding, Australia's view remains that in general terms the Hong Kong caseload offers