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involve (as CPA envisaged) the main resettlement countries in explaining to VBPS that there is no way they will be settled once
screened out.
step up HKG counselling, through the camp management teams, of
those screened out.
25. On the mandatory programme, there are a number of elements to
be considered:
(a)
What we want to get out of SC3:
(i) We hope to win acceptance by the meeting on 16-17 October that, in terms of the CPA (para 14), it has become clear "after the passage of reasonable time" that the voluntary repatriation of non-refugees is unlikely to solve the problem of VBPS in Hong Kong; and to win as much support
as possible for mandatory repatriation. The results of the voluntary programme should be considered from 8 February when HMG and the Vietnamese Government signed the Memorandum of
Understanding on Voluntary Repatriation. We should avoid linking voluntary repatriation figures with Hong Kong's introduction of screening because it is too early to judge
whether those who have been definitively screened-out since
June 1988 are taking advantage of the volunteer programme
available only since February. We should seek endorsement of language agreed at SC2 on alternative measures to voluntary repatriation. The Steering Committee recommended the consideration of measures to give priority to practical
solutions for non-refugees, as provided for in the CPA, "eg (a) the phased, orderly and monitored return and reintegration in safety and dignity of all those determined not to be refugees, under the good offices of UNHCR."
(ii) We hope for UNHCR agreement to monitoring the returned
non-volunteers.
(iii) We are seeking the acceptance of the meeting that Hong
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