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concerned at the coincidence between the hiatus that wil
now Occur in Our current offtake from Hong Kong and
David's own visit to the territory.
I fear that this
will risk starting the visit off on an unfortunate note
with the Hong Kong public and press.
While Hong Kong
end
our
of HMG'
to
welcomes Ministerial visits as a demonstration
continuing commitment to and interest in the territory
it will be presentationally most unfortunate if the visit
begins in circumstances where HMG have just decided
offtake from
in Hong Kong,
favour of taking
further refugees from camps elsewhere in South East Asia
I believe therefore that it would be very helpful if on
arrival in Hong Kong David could indicate that the
existing
is programme
and continuing,
that
Ministers will wish to review the position after his
Such a line would be understood
return and report.
indeed welcomed
still
—
and
in Hong Kong. I would hope that you
can
agree
to
avoid а hiatus
programme
to
run
permitting
a
on for the
continuation of
by allowing the
necessary period
present
and
the
identification
and
resettlement of family reunion cases from Hong Kong,
necessary by interpreting generously
if
the terms of
our
earlier resettlement decision.
3.
After David's return I would welcome an
opportunity to discuss with you
what more we can do to
help Hong Kong. If our current Hong Kong offtake is in
fact to cease
this now,
will
present us
with
severe
difficulties, in terms both of our
Kong and of
international posture.
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relations with Hong
It
would
severely,