CONFIDENTIAL
leave Vietnam. Rate of departure under ODP controlled by Vietnamese. Many of those eligible have waited years to be
permitted to leave.
[UK commitment is too little too late]: Do not forget UK has
already taken 13,000 from Hong Kong. We have now indicated our readiness to double our monthly intake, provided others come forward
with substantial new commitments.
[UK's decision is only conditional: what if others fail to come up with substantial new commitments?] Believe that international community recognise the scale of the problem Hong Kong faces and will respond to our call. Encouraged by announcements within last few days of substantially increased quotas from Canada and New
Zealand.
CONFIDENTIAL