FEP
C54 0939 15/06/80
LINES : T=15 P=15
=1000 HONG KONG REFUGEES=
cc Mr Fan
Gand
1146
437
The Hong Kong government has announced the immediate
introduction of a screening programme for refugees, bringing to an
end its policy of automatically accepting all arrivals from Vietnam.
In future, only those judged to be genuinely fleeing from political
persecution will be allowed to stay. The United Nations High
Commission for Refugees will monitor the process, and there will be a
right of appeal. Those judged to be illegal immigrants will be
detained in separate camps to await repatriation once suitable
guarantees have been received from Vietnam. The announcement follows
the arrival of more than seven-thousand Vietnamese boat people in the
British colony this year. Many are said to have left Vietnam for
economic PossonS, The Chief Secretary, Sir David Ford, told members
of the legislative council that the sudden increase had created an
intolerable burden. He declared: "Ways must be found to stem this
unhappy tide of humanity.
HKD 243/8
EGISTRY
R
- 5 JUL 1988
:
}
RW 0030 (C3) with RTR on announcement, Ford repatriation from 2030 Y (C131)
change trailed from 1600 Y
PA
AC
(14)