CONFIDENTIAL
file
RECORD OF CALL ON MR EGGAR BY DR MEYER-LANDRUT, STATE SECRETARY AT
AUSWAERTIGES AMT, 8 NOVEMBER 1985
Present
Mr Eggar
PS/Mr Eggar
Mr Anderson, WED (Notetaker)
Dr Meyer-Landrut
Dr Frick (Private Secretary)
Herr Schneppen (Head of Dept
covering UK)
PART 2: HONG KONG ISSUES
Baron von Stein)
Dr Bracklo
) FRG Embassy
Vietnamese Refugees from Hong Kong
He
1. Mr Eggar outlined the background to this question.
understood that the Germans saw difficulties in taking more Vietnamese refugees, but we would be disappointed if they were unable to help at all, given that at least 100 had close family
connections.
2. Dr Meyer-Landrut said that the FRG had already taken many Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong. This question fell within the competence of the Laender, who were particularly cautious about Far Eastern refugees. The problem had to be seen against the background of controversy over the large numbers of foreigners seeking asylum
in the FRG (15,000 last year). This made it harder to persuade the Laender to take more. The Federal Government could therefore only push for acceptance of those with "first grade" family connections, ie only those who had children, spouses, or parents living in the
Even this limited concession would involve a hard fight.
FRG.
3. Mr Eggar took note of Dr Meyer-Landrut's comments, and said that
we would like to discuss the matter further with the Germans in due
course.
Abolition of Visa Requirements for HK BDTC's
Mr Eggar said that in the present climate it was important to
people in Hong Kong to be able to travel freely on their passports.
4.
CONFIDENTIAL