CONFIDENTIAL
Kong and who are economic migrants will be held as illegal immigrants pending their return to Vietnam.
UNHCR's concern is that
the notice should include a reference to screening and the
We and the Hong Kong possibility of being accorded refugee status. Government have taken the view that the notice should not be further amended, in order to maintain the maximum deterrent effect of the new policy. This is probably a point on which we can be flexibe at a later stage, but we do not wish to indicate any flexibility now.
3. UNHCR have placed great emphasis on the need to liberalise existing the centres for refugees, and wants immediate steps to be taken to this effect. The Hong Kong Government envisage a 6 - 12 months liberalisation period. This may also be a point on which we can be flexible, but not at this stage.
4.
UNHCR indicated early on that they would be willing to send legal and techncial experts to Hong Kong to advise on screening procedures. They have not followed up on this, despite prodding. Nor have they accepted Hong Kong's invitation to them to monitor
in the the screening process and offer assistance to
process.
on
The Hong Kong Government intend to proceed with screening 29 June, even if UNHCR do not confirm their participation.
5. The Hong Kong Government wish to open negotiations with UNHCR with a view to UNHCR meeting more of the costs of accommodating
This will be a very difficult Vietnamese boat people in Hong Kong. area as on the one hand expectations in Hong Kong are being built up, while on the other hand UNHCR can be expected to resist this strongly. They will need to meet additional demands arising out of Afghan refugees, and can be expected to adopt the view that Hong Kong, as a relatively prosperous territory, should meet most costs. They will probably be adamant that they will not meet the costs of housing non-refugees. Their current budget for Hong Kong is about US$4 million. Hong Kong's new policy has resulted in a commitment this year of about HK$400 million.
CONFIDENTIAL