JAYAEV (2)
LORD GLENARTHUR'S VISIT TO AUSTRALIA 21 FEBRUARY 1 MARCH 1989
BRIEF NO
: HONG KONG
OBJECTIVE
1.
To thank Australians for increasing their offtake of refugees
from Hong Kong.
POINTS TO MAKE
Vietnamese boat people
Grateful for generous Australian response to our conditional resettlement commitment by agreeing to double current offtake of Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong.
- Now that policy of screening and repatration of non-refugees has
been introduced, concerted international effort essential to deal
with residual problem
-
Arrangements now well in hand for repatriation of first batch of
80-90 voluntary returnees in early March.
Encouraged by progress in preparations for International Conference on Indo-Chinese refugees in June. Believe this will provide good basis for future action.
(Defensive)
Joint Declaration
Wrong to suggest, as some commentators have done, that Britain
is reneging on its commitment to Hong Kong.
Remain fully committed to faithful implementation of Joint
Declaration. Working hard to ensure Hong Kong remains thriving,