CONFIDENTIAL
6.
In view of its large Indo-Chinese communities, France
should be able to assimilate many more Vietnamese refugees
from the Hong Kong camps. The French decision to resettle some more refugees is welcome, not least because it will give exemplary leverage with EC partners (e.g. FRG) who
have yet to respond to our request. However we shall be
grateful if, in thanking the French, Lady Young would urge that they accept more than the 'dozens' they have mentioned: much smaller countries (e.g. the Netherlands, Sweden and
Finland, which are managing to absorb nearly 100 each).
HONG KONG DEPARTMENT
28 May 1986
CONFIDENTIAL