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countries,
and
especially those who have agreed to take
"long stayers" and other refugees who are difficult
resettle.
to
4. In the light of these international efforts to reduce
the size of Hong Kong's refugee population, Hong Kong
decided earlier this year to absorb into Hong Kong a further 250 refugees.
5.
Need to ask you to do even more than you already have, in view of Hong Kong's special problems.
Alternatives to Resettlement
6.
Although departures from the Hong Kong camps this year
are running at a higher level than in 1985, the camp population has not decreased substantially because arrivals
have doubled (from 902 to 1805
(from 902 to 1805 so far this year). Sadly,
we see no sign that the level of arrivals in Hong Kong will
reduce markedly, nor that resettlements will reach a level
sufficient to empty the
camps in Hong Kong in the
foreseeable future. With this in mind, we are keen to
consider with other Western Governments and UNHCR what
alternatives might exist to resettlement in the West
especially those who may be fleeing for economic rather than political reasons. Must stress we have no idées fixes
at this stage. We would wish to listen to whatever others
might wish to say.
Further UK resettlement (defensive)
7.
the
As the White Paper envisaged we are considering, in
light of the response by others, accepting further
limited numbers from Hong Kong in addition to the current
programme of family reunion cases.
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