trouble and discord in these centres and camps containing genuine first-asylum refugees.
We at UNHCR are fully aware that there are no easy ways to address the problem, nor are there any easy ways to make it go away. We are further aware that the course of action which is seemingly required, (that is, of creating a series of DISINCENTIVES after the arrival of such previously-resettled refugees in the Philippines which would DETER further numbers from choosing the Philippines as their preferred destination after their voluntary departures from Hong Kong), would not be an easy one for the Government to decide upon, especially in view of its very generous tradition of warm hospitality to genuine Indo-Chinese refugees arriving directly from Vietnam seeking temporary asylum in the Philippines.
Another serious concern of the UNHCR and the international community is the undoubtedly negative reaction which would occur if previously-resettled refugees, after having passed by Hong Kong and enroute to the Philippines, are subsequently picked up on the high seas and initially subsumed under the High Commissioner's programme (RASRO) promoting the rescue of genuine first-asylum refugees in distress.
For these above reasons, we at UNHCR continue to recall this problem and to offer our assistance, however limited it may be on this particular issue, in its timely resolution. The experience of the Government of Hong Kong in dealing with this very same problem and the policies and procedures they employ in dealing with it might be usefully reviewed.
As a matter of interest, we have been informed by our Office in Hong Kong of the anticipated visit to the Philippines in mid-February 1986 of Mr. K. Woodhouse, Principal Assistant Secretary for (Security) Operations and Refugees, Government of Hong Kong. We further understand that Mr. Woodhouse will be meeting with various officials of the Government of the Philippines and one could imagine that the subject of previously-resettled refugees passing by Hong Kong and then coming on to the Philippines might be profitably discussed, and if possible, common approaches and actions concertised and. coordinated. As Annex A to this letter we attach a copy of a recent letter Mr. Woodhouse wrote to our Office in Hong Kong expressing his willingness to further discuss this problem with
all concerned.
Please rest assured of our continued highest consideration, in particular during your deliberations about this problem for which we realise there is no easy solution.
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