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3.
(b)
(c)
first asylum. My understanding is that they generally only admit for resettlement refugees to whom they have already given temporary asylum (eg refugees rescued by ships whose first port of cali is Japan) (Mr Leeks can confirm this). Latin American Countries
In April 1983 the Hong Kong Government asked certain UK posts in Latin America to advise on the possibility of their host governments accepting refugees from Hong Kong for resettlement. The result was disappointing. The idea was followed up with approaches to the Paraguayan, Bolivian and Uruguayan authorities but nothing came of them. Francophone countries in Africa
Mr Galsworthy suggested this as a
possibility
Perhaps the views of the French might first be sought on whether it would be worth pursuing the idea with the countries concerned?
Method of approach
(i) UK Missions in the countries listed in categories (i) to (iii) above, plus New Zealand and Japan, should approach their host Governments at Ministerial level if possible.
(ii) UNHCR should be asked to make similar approaches to
these governments.
has already offered to do this.
Mr.
Hartling ha
(iii) The HKG should approach the heads of appropriate
consular posts in Hong Kong.
or
(iv) We should consider speaking to the Ambassadors/senior
diplomatic representatives in London of selected countries. This might be done in a variety of ways: representatives of the more important countries (US, Canada, Australia, EC) might be summoned to the FCO at a senior level (DUSS/AUSS?). In the case of other countries, eg the Scandinavians, approaches might be made on an ad hoc basis as opportunities arise. For the
latter, we would need to ensure that senior FCO officials who have frequent dealings with representatives of the countries concerned were adequately briefed.
(v)
(vi)
We should ensure Ministers are briefed to raise the
subject on other suitable occasions at both bilateral and multilateral (eg EC) meetings.
We might consider issuing a Guidance telegram on the subjects which could be distributed to a wide range of posts, not just those which will receive specific instructions to approach their host governments.
Selichon might include a section of Latin American and Commonwealth posts.
This
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