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will have an observer role. Useful step towards determining whether
Indo-Chinese arrivals are in fact refugees or economic migrants.
Local/Regional Integration
16.
What possibility is there that some of the other countries of
South East Asia with smaller burdens, eg Philippines and Indonesia
could be persuaded to absorb some of the long-stayers in Hong Kong
and elsewhere?
Orderly Departure Programme (ODP)
17. Glad to be able to cooperate with you in ODP. Very useful
programme. Encouraging that ODP departures exceeded boat people arrivals for first time in 1984. We should put continuing pressure
on Vietnamese Government to allow relatives of those who have left
by boat to leave under ODP.
Thai Anti-Piracy Programme
18. As we indicated at yesterday's Executive Committee meeting, we
are pledging a further pounds 75,000 for the 1985/86 extension of
the programme. Hope there can be further improvements in efficiency within the budget. Rate of attacks, although somewhat lower, still
distressingly high.
19.
An RN officer would be available to join an advisory mission to
Thailand later this year, if we are given sufficient notice.
Rescue at Sea Resettlement Offers (RASRO)
20. As you know we have joined RASRO. Glad to see scheme is
functioning satisfactorily. One pick-up by a UK-registered ship in
May: disembarkation under RASRO went smoothly. Our shipping industry appear to be happy with the new scheme.
Thai/Cambodian Border
21. Problem of refugees on Thai/Cambodian border of great concern
to us. We contributed £850,000 to international relief effort last financial year.
Thailand's burden a heavy one. Understand you have (security) problems at Khao-i-Dang. Conflicting reports about Thai
intentions, ie whether to send some of the recent evacuees back into
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/Cambodia.