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first asylum countries, overcrowding etc), is fully justified.
Preparation for SC3
13.
Between now and SC3 we should continue our efforts to
persuade both the US and UNHCR to recognise the case for Hong Kong
moving ahead on mandatory repatriation after SC3 because of its
special circumstances. With US support, we also need to maintain
pressure on UNHCR to do all they can to persuade boat people in Hong Kong to volunteer to return; and to agree to monitor all those who
return, whether volunteers or not. We are also approaching NGOS to
see if they might be willing to undertake this task if UNHCR
refuses.
14.
In addition we shall need to brief the Thais and Malaysians
of our intentions before SC3. We should make it clear that until
they have greater experience of voluntary repatriation and
Love opted mola
significant numbers of screened-out to return, they should not jump
the gun, as the Americans fear. They are likely, nevertheless, to welcome our move which will break the impasse on this issue and
create a precedent for the future.
ALTERNATIVES TO MANDATORY REPATRIATION
15.
The alternatives are:
(a) Termination or suspension of first asylum in Hong Kong
This would be more controversial than mandatory repatriation and
might actually exacerbate the situation in Hong Kong. In any case
the Hong Kong authorities would in the last resort refuse to
implement such a policy. If boat people scuttle their vessels when turned away (very likely because, unlike the position in Thailand or Malaysia, they have nowhere else to go), the Hong Kong authorities
would be faced with a decision whether to pick up those in the water
or risk their drowning. In fact they would have to be rescued and put ashore in Hong Kong: to allow them to drown would be tantamount
VIMAAE6
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