CONFIDENTIAL
UK/AUSTRALIA POL/MIL TALKS: CANBERRA, 21-22 NOVEMBER
AGENDA ITEM D iii) Regional Cooperation: ASEAN
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VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE
حمن
ons a и
Points to make
1.
One example of ASEAN cooperation is their joint efforts to solve Vietnamese boat people problem. We welcome ASEAN proposal of International Conference in 1989. UK will attend. Very important that conference be well prepared if it is to be productive.
This is regional problem, but particularly acute in Hong Kong: 25,000 Vietnamese boat people there, including 15,500 refugees awaiting resettlement. Highest number in the region.
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Hong Kong Government's new policy of screening all arrivals to distinguish genuine refugees from the rest is important initiative. May become model for the region. Welcome Vietnam's willingness to accept voluntary returnees. Pressing for return of all non-refugees in talks with Vietnamese. No returns without assurances of proper
treatment on return from Vietnamese.
CONFIDENTIAL