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VERY ENCOURAGING'. HIS CONCLUSION WAS THAT THE HONG KONG
AUTHORITIES AND THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WERE DOING A VERY GOOD JOB, FOR WHICH HE WAS VERY GRATEFUL.
4. (IF ASKED ABOUT CONDITIONS IN CLOSED CAMPS.) MUST EMPHASISE THAT HMG AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO ENSURING THAT REFUGEES ARE ADEQUATELY CARED FOR WITHIN THE CAMPS. CONDITIONS IN THE CLOSED CAMPS ARE AT LEAST AS GOOD AS THOSE IN OTHER REFUGEE CAMPS (OPEN AND CLOSED) IN THE REGION.
5. (IF ASKED WHETHER CLOSED CAMPS ARE NOT REALLY PRISONS/RUN BY PRISON STAFF.) HONG KONG'S REFUGEE CAMPS ARE NOT RUN AS PRISONS, NOR BY PRISON OFFICERS. THEY ARE RUN BY STAFF OF THE
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPT SPECIALLY TRAINED TO LOOK AFTER REFUGEES. THE REFUGEES (THROUGH ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES) ARE ALSO DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE DAILY RUNNING OF THE CAMPS. UNHCR
HAVE EVERY ACCESS.
6. (IF ASKED UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES WE SHOULD DISCONTINUE THE CLOSED CAMP POLICY.) WE HAVE ALWAYS MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE POLICY IS NOT INTENDED TO BE PERMANENT AND THAT IF THE FLOW OF ILLEGAL DEPARTURES FROM VIETNAM WERE TO BE REDUCED TO A TRICKLE, SUCH DETERRENT MEASURES WOULD NO LONGER BE NECESSARY. THE POLICY HAS
BEEN EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING LEVEL OF NEW ARRIVALS, BUT THE FLOW NEVERTHELESS CONTINUES. WE SHOULD BE READY TO DISCONTINUE THE
POLICY WHENEVER CIRCUMSTANCES PERMITTED.
HOWE
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