HUMABT
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VISIT TO HONG KONG BY LORD GLENARTHUR, 16-19 SEPTEMBER
BRIEF NO 16: PRESS CONFERENCE
(vi) Vietnamese Refugees
(General)
1.
Greatly admire way Hong Kong has coped with such a large refugee burden, and in particular recent influx of Vietnamese
Well aware of difficulties refugees previously settled in China.
this has caused such a small overcrowded territory.
2.
HMG working actively to help to relieve Hong Kong of Vietnamese refugee burden. Announced further intake of 468 Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong in May.
These have now started
to arrive in UK. HMG urging other countries also to do more to help
Hong Kong.
(Further UK intake beyond family reunion cases?)
3.
1 S
New offtake only
Believe our decision announced in May to take 468 is appropriate response in all the circumstances. just started. See how things go first.
(UK intake too low to produce worthwhile response from other
countries?)
4.
We have pursued vigorous diplomatic campaign to urge other countries to follow our lead. Too early to try to judge results. In any event, will continue to do all we can for Hong Kong in this
regard.
(Closed centres inhumane?)
5.
a
Closed centres are a temporary measure, still necessary as deterrent while Vietnamese refugees continue to arrive in Hong Kong. HMG satisfied that conditions there are good and the refugees well looked after. We look forward to the day when closed centres will
not be necessary.
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