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7.
There are
thus
two governments that have been approached to take the refugees. But if neither agrees, there is still a possibility that the vessel will head on to Hong Kong with some refugees remaining on board.
8.
Hong Kong's proposal to refuse permission for the "Regine" to enter
to enter Hong Kong waters would accord with Hong Kong law and with practice elsewhere in the region. It would also be consistent with Hong Kong's general policy of discouraging the arrival of refugees from Vietnam. (So far this year, discouragingly, the number of refugees arriving in Hong Kong has risen by over 40%, including a large proportion of North Vietnamese who are harder to
re-settle.) To allow refugees to disembark in Hong Kong would appear to amount to support for the activities of
these "mercy ships"; and if the ship in question had already been refused entry elsewhere, would make Hong Kong's position particularly difficult in the handling of future cases.
9.
Difficult humanitarian questions are involved, and in case of distress (eg sickness or lack of
lack of food) we would need to ensure that Hong Kong gave reasonable humanitarian assistance to those involved. But beyond this it would seem defensible (both internationally and in Westminster) that Hong Kong, given its existing refugee burdens, should follow the practice of its neighbours in refusing entry to the vessel. Ultimately the activities of the "Regine" are a West German and/or French responsibility. Failing tangible assistance from UNHCR all those rescued will need to be transported back to the FRG (or France) and resettled
there.
16 April 1986
Cottun
CO Hum
Hong Kong Department
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