CONFIDENTIAL
110091
-HKD 243/9 Miss Mason
Mr Farul 13 Mr Haswamy/
[UN CONFERENCE ON INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES AND RUN-UP]
If a UN Conference is to be of any real value, it will have to produce or endorse:-
1.
2.
(a)
(b)
a region-wide policy on screening and repatriation, accepted by the Vietnamese;
and
new resettlement commitments sufficient to deal with the accumulated number of refugees now in the region.
N
6/3
Was
Repatriation is clearly the most sensitive aspect in domestic terms. We must put the emphasis on voluntary repatria- tion so long as there is a chance that the first returns will lead to a continuing flow of volunteers. But the Governor does not think that will happen; and we will sooner or later have to face the fact that a screening policy will not work without involuntary (or, as the Governor put it publicly here last week, "mandatory") repatriation. We and others will need to put pressure upon the Vietnamese to accept it. If boat people arrive in Hong Kong this year at anything like last year's rate, the situation in the territory will be very serious indeed. The Governor has already drawn attention to the strong possibility that the Finance Committee of LEGCO would refuse to vote further funds.
3. We will also have to come up with a new resettlement commitment, on top of the further 1,000 confirmed last week. Again, this is likely to be difficult domestically, and the Prime Minister will no doubt need a good deal of convincing. But she did not say anything which would rule out a further commitment during her meeting with the Governor last week.
Against this background, I agree with the recommendations in paragraph 2 of this submission.
4.
5.
As regards representation at the Conference itself, it would be very helpful if the Secretary of State could put in an appearance, even if only for a few hours. That would be the best way to demonstrate that we are doing everything possible to secure a successful outcome.
6.
As
As for the objectives, (a) and (c) are straightforward. regards (b), the language on repatriation now in the draft Comprehensive Plan of Action (paragraph 6) just about meets the requirement. We should resist any attempt to water it down.
27 February 1989
CONFIDENTIAL
RJT McLaren
/Cc: