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CONFIDENTIAL
Background
1.
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The Vietnamese Government have invited representatives of places
of first asylum and UNHCR to participate in bilateral talks on repatriation of boat people.
Our
2. We have accepted Vietnam's invitation: talks will take place in Hanoi from 3-5 August. Our team will be led by Mr Clift (Political Adviser in Hong Kong) and will include Mr Colvin (Head of South East Asia Department) and Mr Barnes (Secretary for Security, Hong Kong). Our overall objectives are to secure arrangements for the return of all Vietnamese illegal immigrants in Hong Kong subject to satisfactory assurances concerning their treatment on return. aim in this initial round will be to focus on practicalities and to keep discussion of aid on the sidelines. UNHCR have already begun exploring with the Vietnamese, with the endorsement of HMG and other Governments, the idea of limited aid through UNHCR channels directly aimed at the reintegration of returning boat people into their communities. We have not ruled out some participation by HMG.
3.
Bilateral talks between UNHCR and Vietnam took place in Hanoi from 20-23 July. The Vietnamese said they wanted to improve their relations with their neighbours. The introduction of screening in
The Vietnamese were Hong Kong had changed 'the rules of the game'.
willing to accept voluntary returns, but did not revert to this point when the UNHCR team pressed the case for accepting all those screened out. On aid the discussions were inconclusive and
non-specific.
No target amounts were mentioned. The Vietnamese floated the concept of economic assistance for returnees and for the areas from which they originally came. Interestingly they did not try to make a link with more general aid.
4. In Hong Kong there are now over 20,000 Vietnamese boat people.
No Over 4,000 have arrived since the new policy was introduced. announcement has been made, but all arrivals in the first two boats, about 80, are likely to be screened out. It is too early to assess the deterrent effect of the new policy.
CONFIDENTIAL