CONFIDENTIAL
camps.
The
French
decision
is
6. In view of its large Indo-Chinese communities, France
should be able to assimilate many more Vietnamese refugees
from the Hong Kong
welcome, at least because it will give exemplary leverage
with EC partners (e.g. FRG) who have yet to respond to our request. However we shall be grateful if, in thanking the
French, Mr Ratford would urge that
urge that the French accept more
than the 'dozens' they have mentioned: much smaller countries (e.g. the Netherlands and Finland) are managing
to absorb nearly 100 each.
HONG KONG DEPARTMENT
8 May 1986
CONFIDENTIAL