G: VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE
SHOULD HMG BE DOING MORE TO HELP HONG KONG?
Is A need update.
post.
-OD
Already doing all we can to help: difficult to see what more we
could be doing.
Have resettled over 13,000 since 1975. Announced further
1,000 resettlement places in December. Willing to do more as part
of international effort.
Have donated £8 million since last September, including
£6 million for construction of new refugee centre at Pillar Point.
Very active multilaterally (eg at International Conference) and bilaterally (eg with Vietnamese, Chinese etc.).
HONG KONG PEOPLE SAY PROBLEM IS HMG'S RESPONSIBILITY, NOT HONG
KONG'S
Of course this is our responsibility.
devoting so much effort to finding solution.
That is why we are
Hong Kong for its part is coping magnificently with
practical effects of crisis. Very much to Hong Kong's credit that
it has done so well.
MANDATORY REPATRIATION IS INHUMANE
Logic of screening is that those who are not refugees must go back. Will try voluntary means in first instance. But ultimately
all must return.
Repatriation will only take place if we are satisfied returnees will be properly treated on their return. No repatriation without