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You ask whether the Government is able to influence
the policy of the Hong Kong authorities in this regard.
We are of course most concerned about the plight of these
refugees and would like nothing better than to see the end of the closed centre policy. It is neither
satisfactory nor desirable, and our objective must be
to achieve a durable solution as fast as possible. The
Hong Kong Government fully share these views. If the
flow of arrivals dries up and we are successful in our
efforts to resettle those now in the centres, the policy
will cease to be necessary. The sooner this happens,
the better pleased we should be.
You also ask whether we will take a lead in
seeking international action to deal with this refugee
problem. We maintain regular contacts with the UNHCR
and other countries in an effort to find permanent solutions for all the refugees who are at present in Hong Kong. Britain has itself accepted some
19,000 Vietnamese refugees, most of them from Hong
Kong, for resettlement, and we have a continuing
international commitment to resettle family reunion
and ship rescue cases. I see from your letter that
you have already written separately to David Waddington,
within whose responsibility falls the question of
resettlement in Britain. I would however, say in
conclusion that we are doing what we can to help
solve the refugee problem in Hong Kong, and that we
continue to press others to do likewise.
GEOFFREY HOWE
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