SUMMARY
CONFIDENTIAL
103510
MDHIAN 5268
12. TWO POINTS NEED TO BE HIGHLIGHTED:
A) THE ATMOSPHERE IN THE DEBATE WAS VERY HIGHLY CHARGED. THERE WERE EXPRESSIONS OF GRAVE CONCERN FROM ALL SIDES ABOUT HOW THE SITUATION IS DEVELOPING IN HONG KONG. THERE WAS UNANIMITY ON THE NEED FOR SWIFT PROGRESS TOWARDS MANDATORY REPATRIATION AND NEAR UNANIMITY ON THE NEED TO REVIEW FIRST ASYLUM IF THE CONFERENCE FAILS
TO PRODUCE SUCH PROGRESS.
B) VIRTUALLY EVERY MEMBER WAS STRONGLY CRITICAL OF THE UK FOR NOT
MEETING ITS RESPONSIBILITIES. THIS FAILURE WAS PERCEIVED AS INADEQUATE ASSISTANCE WITH RESETTLEMENT AND A LACK OF CONCERN TO RESOLVE A PROBLEM WHICH WAS SEEN AS A FOREIGN POLICY ISSUE WHICH WAS PURELY BRITAIN'S RESPONSIBILITY. THE POLICY OF FIRST ASYLUM
WAS SEEN AS SERVING THE INTERESTS OF THE UK AND NOT/NOT THOSE OF
HONG KONG.
WILSON
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