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INFO ALL COREU ROUTINE
CPE/LON 540
MICA. 243/15
14 OCT 1988
13.10.88
16.00 HRS
FA
TOP COPY
DIST ?
106
037741
MDLOAN 6797
DIFFUSION RESTREINTE
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG
REFERENCE: CPE PAR 375
1.
PARTNERS MAY LIKE TO KNOW THAT THE UK HELD A SECOND ROUND OF TALKS WITH VIETNAM ON 11-12 OCTOBER,
IN LONDON. THE TALKS WERE HELD IN A FRIENDLY
AND CONSTRUCTIVE ATMOSPHERE. THE MAIN OUTCOME WAS
(A) THE TWO SIDES ACCEPTED THE NEED FOR COMPREHENSIVE
ARRANGEMENTS FOR VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE ARRIVING IN HONG
KONG AFTER 15 JUNE 1988 WHO DO NOT QUALIFY AS REFUGEES FOR RESETTLEMENT IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
(B) AS A FIRST STEP, THE TWO SIDES AGREED TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE START ON PHASED RETURNS TO VIETNAM OF THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY APPLIED TO RETURN COVER 350 HAVE ALREADY DONE SO):
(C) THE BRITISH SIDE CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS READY IN PRINCIPLE TO EXTEND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TOWARDS THE ORGANISATION OF REPATRIATION TO, AND RESETTLEMENT IN VIETNAM:
(D) THE TWO SIDES INVITED UNHCR TO PARTICIPATE IN THE IMPLE- MENTATION OF A REPATRIATION PROGRAMME ON THE BASIS THAT IT SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN A HUMANITARIAN WAY.
2.
THE UK BELIEVES THAT THIS OUTCOME PROVIDES A GOOD BASIS FOR A COMPREHENSIVE, HUMANITARIAN AND DURABLE SOLUTION TO THIS SAD PROBLEM.
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