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Hong Kong was out of the question.
family reunion cases. Comment
They did agree to consider
a list of refugees with close
relatives in Belgium is being prepared by the UNIICR. The
Belgians are unlikely to do more than consider these family
reunion cases.
As their regional intake
12. Australia The Australian Minister of Immigration and
Ethnic Affairs accounced in October 1985 that his government
would increase its off-take from Hong Kong in response to IMG's
initiative. The increase from 400 to 600 has taken effect and the
quota may increase to 800 in mid-1986.
remains fixed at: 6000, the increase to 800 from Hong Kong will
transpire only if there are places remaining at the end of the
year. There was a surplus last year but the Australian
Commission here did not respond to appeals to re-direct it to
Hong Kong. Comment we have excellent relations with the
Australians and they have been one of our strongest supporters.
Their response to HMG's initiative is very welcome and should
encourage others.
13. U.S.A. There has been no (ro) formal reaction from the
Americans to IMG's initiative. It is expected that a decision
will await the report from a high level panel set up by the
Secretary of State to advise on U.S. refugee policy. The panel
visited Hong Kong in November 1985 as part of a regional tour.
It also went to Vietnam. The Americans are our strongest supporter
and have taken half of all of the refugees resettled from Hong
Kong. Comment Hong Kong has received strong support from
the Americans for Open Centre resettlement. They have taken
nearly three times the number they committed to, although this
was within their quota. The Americans are very interested in:
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