CODE 18-77
AWO Ltd.
7/84
NOTE FOR FILE
CONFIDENTIAL
UN 243/1
Reference.
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG
cc: Mr Leeks o/a
Mr Trevan o/a
+
1.
On 25 September I called on Mr Issaka, the Head of UNHCR's Resettlement Section, at his request, to discuss inter alia the subject of Indo-Chinese refugees. Messrs Hansson (Deputy Head) and Cooper (Desk Officer for Hong Kong) were also present.
2. I outlined our position (FCO telno 334) and mentioned that we had spoken to the Australian, Canadian, US and Japanese Missions on the same lines as the Ambassador had spoken to Mr Dewey, the Deputy High Commissioner.
3. Mr Cooper then gave me Resettlement Section's views on the speaking note we had left with Mr Dewey. (Copy enclosed for ease of reference). While UNHCR shared our concern about the increase in arrivals in Hong Kong during the first half of 1986, they considered the 1986 arrival figure should not be compared with 1985 (which was an exceptionally low year) but with 1984 which showed the same pattern as 1986 had so far. Compared with other countries in the region, Hong Kong's 1986 arrivals were the lowest. Resettlement Section felt the argument given in the first paragraph of our speaking note would not hold water with other resettlement countries, particularly as Hong Kong's caseload had in 1986 declined more rapidly than in other South-East Asian countries except Indonesia. (He quoted Malaysia's caseload as almost the same as at the beginning of 1986 and the caseload of the Philippines as showing a 30% increase). Mr Hansson added that Resettlement Section thought our note would not encourage major resettlement countries. to continue to give a special emphasis to Hong Kong, especially as Malaysia were beginning to feel special emphasis should also be given to their caseload.
4. Mr Cooper thought the reasons for the increase in Hong Kong's arrivals in early 1986 could be given as: -
a)
the Orderly Departure Programme (ODP) was at a standstill;
b)
there was a good momentum for resettlement; and
c)
there were internal problems in North Vietnam.
In reply I argued Hong Kong's case vigorously.
5. Resettlement Section's thinking was that there should be screening for Indo-Chinese refugees and special provision for family reunion cases. However, this raised the question of what should be done with those persons who were "screened-out"
CONFIDENTIAL
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