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(AN
OURSELVES IN CURRENT DISCUSSIONS ON THIS ISSUE AMONG MEMBERS OF
THE SO-CALLED QUOTE HONOLULU GROUP UNQUOTE. WE UNDERSTAND THAT
THIS COMPRISES THE MAIN RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES (THE US, AUSTRALIA
AND CANADA), JAPAN AND THE UNHCR, AND MEETS PERIODICALLY IN
GENEVA FOR INFORMAL DISCUSSION ON REFUGEE AND RESETTLEMENT
MATTERS. IT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY APPARENT THAT THE HONOLULU
GROUP IS ALREADY ADDRESSING THE SAME CONCERNS AS OURSELVES.
AUSTRALIAN PAPER DISCUSSED AT THE LAST MEETING OF THE GROUP (IN
JUNE) DREW ATTENTION TO THE CONTINUING OUTFLOW FROM VIETNAM: TO
THE FACT THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THESE QUOTE REFUGEES UNQUOTE
WERE SEEKING BETTER ECONOMIC PROSPECTS RATHER THAN FLEEING FROM
POLITICAL PERSECUTION: AND TO THE PROBLEMS POSED THEREBY FOR
RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES AND COUNTRIES OF FIRST ASYLUM.)
3.
WE BELIEVE THAT OUR ASSOCIATION WILL BE WELCOMED BY OTHER
MEMBERS OF THE GROUP. WE ANTICIPATE THAT IF WE ARE ABLE TO
INITIATE DISCUSSIONS DURING SEPTEMBER, THE OCTOBER MEETING OF THE
UNHCR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MAY THEN OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE
INTENSIVE DISCUSSION IN THE MARGINS, AND POSSIBLY EVEN FOR
SUBSTANTIVE DEBATE IN EXCOM ITSELF.
4 a
OUR FIRST EFFORTS WITHIN THE GROUP WILL BE VERY
EXPLORATORY, DIRECTED AT ESTABLISHING WHAT COMMON GROUND MIGHT
EXIST. WE SHALL ALSO NEED TO CONSIDER IN DUE COURSE HOW AND WHEN
COUNTRIES OF FIRST ASYLUM MIGHT BE BROUGHT INTO THESE
CONSULTATIONS. OUR INITIAL VIEW IS THAT SUBJECT TO THE VIEWS OF OTHER MEMBERS THEY MIGHT BE BROUGHT IN AROUND EARLY 1987.
5.
ON THIS BASIS WE ARE INSTRUCTING UKMIS GENEVA TO APPROACH
UNHCR AND MISSIONS OF HONOLULU GROUP MEMBERS ON THE FOLLOWING
LINES, AND SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD MAKE PARALLEL
APPROACHES TO YOUR HOST GOVERNMENTS:
(4)
IN VIEW OF OUR RESPONSIBILITIES FOR HONG KONG HMG REMAIN
VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONTINUING OUTFLOW OF QUOTE BOAT
PEOPLE UNQUOTE FROM VIETNAM. DESPITE CONTINUING OVERSEAS
RESETTLEMENT OF BOAT PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG CAMPS, NEW
ARRIVALS CONTINUE TO SWELL NUMBERS IN THE CAMPS. HONG
KONG'S ARRIVAL RATE THIS YEAR IS NEARLY DOUBLE THE RATE
OF LAST YEAR (1591 JANUARY-JULY 1986 COMPARED WITH 806
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