ARRAEB (5)
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problem in sight, there will be substantial pressure on the Finance
Committee to take a stand on principle.
13. A prompt and generous response by HMG to the Governor's appeal
would demonstrate our concern about the boat people problem and our
genuine desire to assist. It would help to take the heat out of
what is certain to be an extremely difficult political situation
this summer. In view of the scale of the problem, a contribution of
about £6 million is about right. Anything much less would be widely viewed in Hong Kong as inadequate. A grudging response, or worse
still no response at all, would go down very badly in Hong Kong. It would increase resentment of HMG, and could have the very serious
constitutional consequences of which the Governor has warned.
that event we might have to pay up anyway but would get no credit
for it. An early announcement would also be helpful in defusing the criticism of conditions in the camps in Hong Kong which seems
likely to be triggered by the Foreign Affairs Committee's visit to
the territory.
Presentational Aspects
In
14. I have discussed both these options with the ODA. In addition
to the financing problems (see paragraph 17 below) both options could entail significant presentational difficulties :
(a) people in this country might object in principle to the provision of aid to Hong Kong, which has a GDP per head not
much less than our own, and which could well afford to meet the
full financial burden of the boat people. This objection can be countered by pointing out that the boat people are a problem of international humanitarian concern; and that in any case Britain has a particular responsibility for Hong Kong and should demonstrate its commitment to help in a tangible way. Nevertheless for reasons of presentational and principle it would be very desirable indeed, if not essential, that the aid
should be channelled through UNHCR (see paragraph 14 below).
(b)
we might also be open to criticism over the allocation of
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