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PTAADX
24
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG
HUD 243/5
Points to make (defensive)
3
Closed Centres
Closed centre policy was introduced with the greatest reluctance
to avert a situation which was rapidly becoming intolerable. Hong
Kong Government believe and we agree that these centres still have a
deterrent effect, and are thus a regrettable necessity.
Hong Kong Government consider Correctional Services Department to be the service best suited in Hong Kong to perform difficult task
of running closed centres. CSD administer a variety of
institutions, not just prisons, and most staff working in closed
centres are recruited for this task and are not trained prison
officers.
International Conference on Vietnamese Refugee issue
Believe that a conference at this time on Vietnamese refugees
alone would be unlikely to attract wide international support.
If conference held on Indo-Chinese refugee situation as a whole would almost certainly become enmeshed in Cambodia issue.
Best way
forward is through continuing discussions with main resettlement countries, places of first asylum, UNHCR and Vietnam.
Position of Refugees in Hong Kong after 1997
It is our firm intention that Vietnamese refugee problem in Hong
Kong be fully resolved well before 1997.
(If necessary) In any event the Joint Declaration on the future of Hong Kong provides for the continuation after 30 June 1997 of Hong Kong's present social and legal systems and so any refugees then in Hong Kong should retain their current status.
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