15
It was eventually agreed to include a statement that the two sides accepted the need for comprehensive arrangements for the Vietnamese boat people arriving in Hong Kong after 15 June 1988 who did not qualify for resettlement in other countries, while adding that an immediate start should be made on phased returns to Vietnam of those who had already applied
to return.
Reintegration Assistance
16
The Vietnamese made much of the practical difficulties they would have
in resettling returnees. They emphasised that any resettlement programme would have to be well organised and successful. They made it clear that Vietnam would require financial assistance.
17
We said that we understood that the Vietnamese had had discussions with UNHCR and that they would be looking for assistance in the following areas
transport, temporary accommodation on arrival, basic clothing and supplies, housing and domestic items,
tools and seeds and perhaps some contribution to the cost of primary education and, if necessary, re-training. The Vietnamese side confirmed
confirmed these points had been raised with UNHCR.
18
We said that we were prepared to contemplate a modest scheme for reintegration assistance providing that the two sides reached agreement on a comprehensive arrangement to cover the return to Vietnam of all boat people in Hong Kong who were not refugees.
19
The Vietnamese made clear their wish for the direct provision of financial assistance by the British side but made no difficulty over our explanation that such assistance would need to be channelled through UNHCR.
THE FIRST RETURNEES
20
It was agreed to make an early start on phased returns to
to Vietnam of those who had already applied for early repatriation. We gave the Vietnamese a list of 110 applications for early return which had been validated by UNHCR, adding that we would provide them with further lists as and when they were ready. We would encourage UNHCR to speed up the processing of documentation.