CONFIDENTIAL
'མསྶ ''' ཨཨཱནི ''ཨེ, དམ
178
FCS/85/140
Si Lotowing
وانات
SOت حالا
HA
SEAD
MKK 243/5ai
RECEIVED IN REJISTRY
2 1 MAY 1985
HOME SECRETARY
INDEX
علا
Vietnamese Refugees in Hong Kong •
8825
ра
243/5.
1
Seetri Report and Future Policy
1. In recent months FCO officials in conjunction with the
Hong Kong Government have carried out a study of the problem of Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong, and have prepared the enclosed paper. The paper sets out the factual position,
predicts how it will develop if matters are allowed to ride, and examines the various options available. It was not specifically prepared in connection with the SCORRI report, but in my
view serves as a suitable basis for deciding our policy and
hence our reaction to SCORRIS recommendations. There is growing Parliamentary pressure on the Government to devise a strategy
for dealing with the problem, as the two recent Adjournment debates (on 9 and 14 May) have shown.
Background
2.
The paper's general prognosis (paras 12-13) is that unless
there is early action to contain the problem, the situation
is likely to deteriorate. On reasonable assumptions it could
deteriorate quite rapidly between now and 1988. We could eventually face rioting in the camps: such a situation, besides
creating difficult security problems and much human misery,
would certainly result in widespread criticism or condemnation of HMG, who would generally be seen as responsible. We cannot avoid our constitutional responsibility for Hong Kong.
For these reasons a policy of inaction at this stage seems
neither viable nor sensible.
MINUTE TO OR BRITTAN of 20 MAY
On the other hand there are no easy options, nor can we say with any certainty that any of the courses of action
3.
/ which
CONE INVENT TAT