RESTRICTED
(International conference on Vietnamese refugee issue?)
10.
Conference on Vietnamese refugee issue above (i.e. isolated from wider Indo-Chinese refugee problem) most unlikely to attract wide international support. Wider conference on Indochina would become totally enmeshed in Cambodia issue. Firmly believe our contacts with UNHCR and main resettlement countries offer best hope for finding long-term solutions.
(Ex-China Vietnamese?)
11.
Keeping close watch on developments. repatriation to China well under way.
Glad to see
Will do all we can to ensure
Chinese continue to take back Vietnamese previously settled in
China.
(c) Points to make with OMELCO and Others
12.
Share OMELCO's deep concern. Doing all we can to help you tackle influx of Vietnamese refugees and ex-China Vietnamese illegal
immigrants.
Defensive
(Other countries' response? Ex-China arrivals?)
13.
On refugees, urging other resettlement countries to follow
On ex-China arrivals UK lead and accept more for resettlement.
Confident making every effort to ensure all are returned to China. that Chinese authorities aware of need for early solution. Doing all we can to ensure procedures work smoothly to facilitate repatriation.
(UK resettlement/long-term solutions?)
14.
UK has good resettlement record: 12,800 since 1975. Despite severe immigration pressures, have decided to accept further 468 Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong for resettlement in UK.
15.
But also recognise resettlement alone no longer answer to problem. Exploring range of longer-term solutions, including repatriation, with UNHCR and major resettlement countries.
Key to problem lies in Vietnam. Inevitably a slow process.
No
RESTRICTED