16066,
Security Branch, 6/F,
GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT
LOWER ALBERT ROAD
HONG KONG
** OUR REF: SRD 706/10/C Pt. 5.
* Your Ref :
WKK 243/3
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
INDCA
17 OCT 1986
FICER
PA
REGISTRY
Action Taken
30 September 1986.
BA VRO general-
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Mr. C.E. Leeks, Hong Kong Department, FCO.
Dear Clinton
Policy Evaluation: Aid to Indochinese Refugees in
Thailand
Thank you for your letter of 12 September 1986.
I am
sorry that it has taken so long to get back to you but, as you are aware, we have had a number of important visitors recently.
In order to meet your deadline I am sending a copy of this letter by facsimile to Ben TANG with the request that he passes it to you as quickly as possible.
As regards the draft paper, I appreciate the limitations on redrafting, but I do not understand the references in paragraphs
(b) and 10 (b) to "pressure on Hong Kong to absorb more". I am not aware that Hong Kong has been pressurised anymore than any other place of first asylum to absorb Indochinese refugees. Viewed from here, this does not appear to be a priority objective. We are much more concerned about developing a durable solution and, in the meantime, seeking help with resettlement. But perhaps you are more aware of
this pressure than we are?
As regards the costs mentioned in paragraph 7 (ii) of the paper, I presume that you have taken the figures from paragraph 18 of our Fact Sheet. Since 1979 the total cost to Hong Kong Government has been $550M. We have been unable, at this stage, to develop any meaningful figures for the period 1975 to 1979, but we will keep working on it.
12(b)
For the same reason the figure
reason the figure in paragraph 12 (b) is unavailable at this stage. We will do our best to provide figures as quickly as possible.
In my absence I have asked Simon Sit to send whatever further information we can provide to you by telegram.
yours
Ken
(K.J. Woodhouse),
for Secretary for Security.