3.
PTZAGO
CONFIDENTIAL
MR PATTEN'S PRIVATE MEETING WITH HOCKE, MONDAY 27 FEBRUARY
VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG
(Defensive) Points to Make
(If Hong Kong Government's reply was handed over on 27 February)
reply.
Understand you have just received Hong Kong Government's
(If Hong Kong Government's reply has not yet been handed over)
Understand you will be receiving Hong Kong Government's reply very shortly.
We see screening policy as only way of resolving Vietnamese boat people problem. Essential to keep problem finite.
Clearly screening procedures must be implemented fairly and consistently. Some teething troubles inevitable with new programme. Hong Kong Government keen to work closely together with UNHCR to
resolve these as they arise.
-->>
First group of 81 volunteers will return to Vietnam on 2 March.
Hope that success of these arrangements will encourage others to
come forward.
(If necessary)
But
Not talking about compulsory repatriation at this stage. clearly future of all those boat people who do not qualify as refugees must lie in Vietnam. Right that we should work for
arrangements to enable them to return to their own country without fear of consequences.
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