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(d) Increased Resettlement
We should continue to
encourage
other resettlement
to
take more.
countries, both
But, for the reasons in
have difficulty. There are three possible
directly and through UNHCR,
para 11 above, we shall have
options which might be considered:
(i) The UK might take a further quota.
ourselves.
Our efforts to persuade other countries to take more are unlikely to
be effective until we can show that we are willing to take more
There is evidence that they are looking to the UK
(The present SCORRI enquiry into Vietnamese refugees
is addressing this question.) Clearly a prerequisite for any
successful campaign to increase off take elsewhere is agreement to admit more refugees here, preferably on a continuing quota.
for a gesture.
01
(ii) Training schemes
UNHCR consider that resettlement prospects would improve if refugees
acquired the skills needed to work in industrialised societies. The Hong Kong Government have already devoted considerable attention and
resources to providing training opportunities. They seek to provide
educational and vocational training, with emphasis on English, in
all the
government-run refugee centres. The voluntary agencies run similar programme s in the open centres. In the Hei Ling Chau closed
centre, which i s for North Vietnamese and where as a result the
resettlement rate i s lowest and potential integration problems are
the Hong Kong Government intends with UNHCR assistance greater, provide a special multi-purpose training centre. It will be funded by UNHCR (total cost US$40,000) and will be run by the World Relief
voluntary
should be operational
mid-1985. by
purpose
Vietname se prepare
for refugees
agency.
It
to
to
Its
overseas
will be
resettlement by teaching them basic manufacturing skills and use of simple machinery, and simultaneously
and simultaneously to alleviate boredom while they wait for resettlement, thus reducing the likelihood of
likelihood of friction and
violence. It may be possible to step up or otherwise improve these
activities. Opportunities for employment in the closed centres are
limited. (Open centre refugees are of course free to seek outside
employment). It might be possible to provide more optional, paid
work
within
the
without centres
harming the
CONFIDENTIAL
overall
deterrent