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+KB 2+5/9.
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO DESKBY 05020OZ HANOI
TELNO 233
OF 041815Z JULY 89
AND TO DESKBY 05010OZ HONG KONG
INFO IMMEDIATE UKMIS GENEVA
38
343/11
.65
31
40
073140
MDHOAN 4344
TOP COPY Q DIST?
(36
YOUR TELNO 335, HONG KONG TELNOS 2066, 2176 AND 2218 AND UKMIS GENEVA TELNO 420: VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: REPATRIATION.
(37)
1. THE TREASURY HAVE NOW GIVEN AUTHORITY FOR FUNDS TO BE MADE
AVAILABLE TOWARDS THE COST OF REINTEGRATION ASSISTANCE. THIS WOULD BE BASED ON THE EXISTING VOLUNTARY PROGRAMME OPERATED BY UNHCR UNDER WHICH UP TO USD1000 IS AVAILABLE PER PERSON. THE
TREASURY HAVE ACCEPTED THAT A 50/50 SPLIT WILL REQUIRE A UK CONTRIBUTION OF UP TO USD 500 PER PERSON. PDS STG 4 MILLION IS AVAILABLE ON THIS BASIS TO THE END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR, AT WHICH TIME THERE WILL BE A FULL REVIEW TO ESTABLISH THE COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SCHEME. WE WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR HONG
KONG'S CONFIRMATION THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL BALANCE
HMG'S CONTRIBUTION.
2.
WE AGREE THAT IF WE ARE TO MAKE THE 17 JULY TARGET DATE WE
MUST BE PREPARED TO GO AHEAD BILATERALLY. WE UNDERSTAND (TELECON HEWITT/FOOTMAN) THAT HOCKE HAS REACTED VERY NEGATIVELY TO VIEIRA
DE MELLO'S APPROACH THAT UNHCR MIGHT HELP. WE HOPE THAT HOCKE
WILL EVENTUALLY AGREE TO ASSIST. WE ALSO STILL HAVE IRONS IN THE
FIRE WITH ICM. BUT WE CANNOT AFFORD TO WAIT ANY LONGER.
3.
YOU MAY THEREFORE PROPOSE TO THE VIETNAMESE THAT WE SHOULD
PROCEDE ON THE FOLLOWING BASIS IN ORDER TO MEET THE 17 JULY
DEADLINE:
IT
(A) WE HOPE THAT UNHCR WILL AGREE TO EXTEND THEIR EXISTING
REINTEGRATION ASSISTANCE SCHEME TO INCLUDE THOSE REPATRIATED
UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, AND TO MONITOR THOSE WHO RETURN. WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO SECURE THEIR AGREEMENT TO THIS IN THE TIME AVAILABLE.
(B) WE THEREFORE PROPOSE FOR THE FIRST BATCH THAT WE AGREE
AD HOC ARRANGEMENTS. AS IN UNHCR'S CASE ASSISTANCE WOULD BE CHANELLED THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF INVALIDS, WAR VETERANS AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS. SUCH ASSISTANCE WOULD BE FOR A MAXIMUM OF USD 100
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