RESTRICTED
further 420 in this country.
We have since conducted a
vigorous diplomatic campaign to this end at both
Ministerial and official levels, and have received in
response firm offers of places for over 1,100 refugees.
Canada's Position
5.
Canada is (after the US) the second largest resettler
of Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong. It has absorbed
some 18,000 since 1975 (compared to 12,000 taken by the
UK). Canada was one of the first countries to respond to
our diplomatic campaign, offering an increase of 50 (to 650) in its 1986 quota; such an increase was encouraging, in the light of the reduction in Canada's total intake this year from SE Asia.
6.
The further increase of 450 in Canada's quota for Hong Kong mentioned in the High Commissioner's letter follows the pattern of 1984 and 1985, when the Canadians made major mid-year increases in their quotas. The total projected Canadian intake of 1,100 refugees from Hong Kong for 1986
is the same as that for 1985.
7.
The High Commissioner's letter
letter reiterates Canada's
view that international efforts are needed to reduce the size of Hong Kong's refugee population. The Canadians are also interested in HMG's intentions on further resettlement
from Hong Kong. The Government Reply last September was
non-committal on
consider this point, promising only to accepting further limited numbers of refugees "in the light of the willingness shown by other resettlement countries to respond to Hong Kong's needs and of all the circumstances at the time". The draft takes account of these factors.
Cotten
17 June 1986
CO Hum
Hong Kong Department