with the scale of the problem and with our special responsibility
for Hong Kong. Our objective is to stimulate a significantly
increased offtake by the resettlement countries. We believe that
an appropriate target would be to aim for up to a doubling of the
present rate of offtake. We aim to achieve this by bilateral
contacts with the main resettlement countries; through action in
the multi lateral EC and ASEAN; and through the co-operation of
UNHCR. Our contacts with officials in the key countries give
grounds for believing that a commitment of the right magnitude by
the UK would achieve a substantial gearing effect'.
6.
There is substantial pressure in Hong Kong for us to make a
move. The issue is being seen as an important test of our
commitment to the territory. In this country there is a
significant body of opinion which believes we should do more
including the voluntary agencies who might be expected to take
Internationally, attention is now focusing on all
aspects of the boat people problem including resettlement: there
are moves to hold an international conference on the problem next
spring. The time is ripe for us to act.
that view.
7. The Chinese have recently expressed concern that this problem
should not be allowed to linger beyond 1997. They will welcome
action by us which will provide a lead to the international
community in resettlement, in addition to the lead we have taken
on repatriation.
CONFIDENTIAL