14. Contact with Vietnam
in
We are in constant touch with the Vietnamese authorities,
We raise with London and Hanoi, over the problem of boat people. them most insistently the problems caused by the outflow of boat people. So far I have to say that there has been no indication of willingness on the part of the Vietnamese authorities to accept back those who have left, other than on a very limited case by case
basis. It will not be easy to reach acceptable and agreed arrangements covering those who are not regarded as genuine
refugees.
The problem will not be solved quickly. But we have detected a growing international recognition of its nature. We hope that this change in international perceptions will result in the kind of arrangements we are seeking. We shall continue to play an active part in international discussions on the issue, in full recognition of our special responsibility for Hong Kong.
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