screening. Over 85% of those arriving daily are likely to be
classed as economic migrants. A small number of boat people (264)
have returned to Vietnam of their own choice. The UNHCR claim that
there are more volunteers in the pipe-line and the number is increasing.
13. There has been a series of disturbances in the camps, resulting from increased overcrowding and growing frustration on the part of
inmates. There has also been a outbreak of cholera on the island of
Tai A Chau. The island has been evacuated but once it has been
cleared up will have to be used again to accommodate new arrivals. Local residents have staged protests against the policy of granting first asylum and against the building of additional accommodation
for boat people.
14. The Americans (and UNHCR) have so far refused to support
anything other than purely voluntary repatriation. They attach
great importance to "preserving" the Comprehensive Plan of Action (CPA) by which we believe them to mean that, for self-protection
vis-a-vis Congress and the American press, they have to demonstrate
that the voluntary repatriation provided for under the CPA has been tried and has shown to be inadequate. The importance of the CPA was
stressed by Secretary Baker to the Secretary of State in Paris in
July (Paris telno 1014).
15.
American concerns about mandatory repatriation from Hong Kong are also related to Malaysia and Thailand. They believe that once mandatory repatriation has started from Hong Kong, the Malaysians and Thais will follow suit immediately and will be less scrupulous in the methods they use. We argue that Hong Kong is a special case (because it is more than one year ahead with screening, is suffering from cholera, riots, etc.).
16. A series of talks with the Americans at official level in
Washington has followed up points raised by Secretary Baker in July and helped clear up factual misunderstandings. Ministers have
accepted that no action on involuntary repatriation should be taken
before SC3 in October.