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had hoped that the package which I proposed on
20 December would have made provision for more people.
But they welcomed what we had proposed as a measure
which would give key people the confidence to remain in
Hong Kong. They recognise that it was not an easy step
to take, and they are following carefully the
discussion in this country. They all hoped that it
will be possible for Parliament to give its approval
and for the scheme to begin to operate. I assured them
that the Government were fully committed to the
proposal.
The second issue which we discussed was the
repatriation of Vietnamese boat people. No-one in Hong
Kong involved in the repatriation takes satisfaction in
what had to be done, but the result achieved was
necessary.
Having seen the camps for myself, I am more
than ever convinced that return to Vietnam in carefully
controlled conditions is preferable to camp life with
no hope of resettlement elsewhere. Hong Kong has paid
a heavy price for its principled policy of first
asylum. We cannot expect them to receive this year the
same number of boat people over 30,000 whom they
received last year. There is nowhere for these boat
people who are not refugees to go. The policy of
repatriation is therefore the right one, and I hope
that this may soon be endorsed by the international
/community.
I am