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UNHCR programme providing modest assistance, probably
largely in kind rather than cash, to returnees and their
immediate communities. This would be in line with the
way minds are moving in UNHCR and in other Western
governments. We would urge our partners to make a
contribution.
The Hong Kong government would also be
ready to seek authority to make matching contributions of
their own. In any event the sums
small.
involved would be
8.
If you are content that we should proceed on that
basis, we shall tell the Vietnamese that we are ready for
a second round of talks. By convention this should be in
the other capital, London (or in Hong Kong). The Hong
Kong Government are understandably concerned that the
holding of the talks in the territory could give rise to
unrest among those Vietnamese detained pending
repatriation. I therefore believe we should be ready to
offer London as the venue, recognising that this offers
the Vietnamese a modest diplomatic gain and seeking to
exert the maximum leverage in return. This would offer
an opportunity for us to put across very forcefully our
views on broader Vietnamese policies.
9. On a separate aspect of the problem, I am discussing
with Douglas Hurd what further contribution we might make
towards the resettlement of those boat people already in
I shall minute Hong Kong who are regarded as refugees.
on that issue in due course.
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