VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE
The 'Global Problem'
CONFIDENTIAL
Resolving the various Refugee problems around the world
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Soviet Jews
East Germans
Vietnamese
is a challenge to all of us.
Situation in Hong Kong
Situation in Hong Kong has deteriorated since our meeting in
July. Boat people continue to arrive in large numbers. Over 32,000
arrivals in 1989; 4,000 in August alone at an average rate of 144 a
day. Burden on Hong Kong now intolerable.
Local residents have staged protests against granting first asylum and tried to prevent new accommodation being built. There has been interfactional rioting in the camps resulting from frustration and overcrowding. Cholera has necessitated evacuation
of the island of Tai A Chau so that cases can be treated and the
island cleaned up. This has taken last remaining space on mainland. Accommodation situation now desperate.
Progress under the Comprehensive Plan of Action (CPA)
Adoption of CPA an important step forward. But it does not
address adequately the problem of those who do not volunteer to
return.
This
Voluntary repatriation programme is proceeding but with
disappointing results so far. To date only 264 have returned. is insufficient to match the rate of arrivals and nor likely to meet the long term problem, including deterring those contemplating leaving Vietnam.
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Useful talks have been held in Washington at official level. We
CONF IDENTIAL