Foreign and Commonwealth Office
London SW1A 2AH
Mrs BH Fair
Home Office
Queen Ann's Gate
LONDON
SWIH 9AT
Telephone 01-
270 2647
Your reference
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Our reference ROBAOF
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MKD 243/12
Date
9 November 1988
cove
118
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG: PROPOSED ADDITIONAL UK RESETTLEMENT COMMITMENT
1
Thank you for your letter of 8 November covering a revision of the draft joint minute on resettlement. I am most grateful for the work that you and your colleagues have put into this exercise and for the constructive outcome. We will certainly keep you informed of developments on the ODP front.
2. On the draft minute I have a few minor changes to suggest. These are indicated in manuscript on the attached copy of the text. Most are self-explanatory: they take account of recent developments or represent minor second thoughts. The following comments elaborate on certain changes:
(a) New para 7: the Chinese have recently made clear to us their concern about the problem of boat people in Hong Kong. In particular they raised the question with the Governor of Hong Kong during his recent visit to Peking. We suggest inserting a new paragraph as follows:
(b)
"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".
New para 9: we suggest including the reference to the voluntary agencies' 60 per month proposal. This puts our own proposal better into perspective.
(c) New para 11: we suggest deleting the reference to the Save the Children Fund, as other agencies may also assist with an improved language training programme under UNHCR auspices (Hong Kong telno 3808).
CONFIDENTIAL