RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 1267
OF 22043OZ APRIL 89
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING, UKMIS GENEVA
21
26
000325 MDHIAN 1745
HKB 243/11
YRTELNO 871 VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE: FINANCE
1. WE HAVE ISSUED THE ANSWER TO THE PQ FROM MRS GORMAN, WAS WELL AS THE FOLLOWING PRESS STATEMENT TO THE MEDIA:
BEGINS
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TODAY (22 APRIL) WELCOMED THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT THAT IT WOULD CONTRIBUTE UP TO SIX MILLION POUNDS (HKD 79 MILLION) TO COVER THE FULL CAPITAL COSTS OF THE PILLAR POINT REFUGEE CENTRE NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN
TUEN MUN.
''THIS INDICATES THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S RECOGNITION OF THE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON HONG KONG OF THE CONTINUING INFLUX OF BOAT PEOPLE AND ITS READINESS TO ASSIST,'' SAID A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN.
HE NOTED THAT THE CONTRIBUTION WAS THE EQUIVALENT OF ABOUT HALF THE CAPITAL COST OF STAGE 3 AND 4 OF THE WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRE, FOR WHICH IT WAS PLANNED TO SEEK FINANCIAL APPROVAL SOON.
ENDS
2. WE ARE FAXING COPIES OF THE PQ FROM MRS GORMAN AND OUR PRESS STATEMENT TO PEKING SEPARATELY. PEKING MIGHT WISH TO PASS THEM ON TO
THE FAC.
WILSON
YYYY
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