CONFIDENTIAL
DSR 11C
4. As you know, we consider it vital that we are seen
both in Hong Kong and in Parliament to be fulfilling our
obligations towards the
the territory. Any perception that
we were falling short in this regard could have serious
implications for our relationship with Hong Kong and
indirectly, for confidence in the territory. Both are
likely to come under increasing strain as the date of
Hong Kong's restoration to China comes closer. It would
do serious damage if Hong Kong opinion concluded that our
commitment to: the territory was waning and we were
washing our hands of its problems.
E
5.
is
So far as the problem of Mietnamese refugees
concerned, we have kept these strains in check SO far
through the measures set out in the Government's Reply to
SCORRI. Now that we are nearing the fulfilment of these
to resettle more family reunion cases and
to exhort friends and allies to take more refugees from
Hong Kong it is time for us to examine what more we can
do to help resolve the problem of Vietnamese refugees in
Hong Kong.
commitments
i
We are
6. Ministers here are convinced that we cannot allow our
present resettlement programme to end without putting in
hand further action to help Hong Kong.
responsible for the territory and must take
action to solve its refugee problems. : No one else can,
or will. In the absence of a UK commitment to further
resettlement,
other
countries'
a lead in
J
intakes are likely to be
CONFIDENTIAL