If
for the upkeep of the Vietnamese boat people in Hong Kong. Britain refuses to pay for what is legally its responsibility,
The Finance Committer &
regula
then, I suggest that this Council take the money we pay to the U.K. Government under the Defence Costs Agreement and use it to Were the situation thus, I have
intensify its efforts in
pay for boat people camps.
little doubt
Britain that
would
Washington.
our
من المفصل
Hence, I urge Members of this Council to be fully aware of
as constitutional status
a colony when they giscuss
Che
and indeed this evening
question of first asylum this afternoon, A
It is true that we can
make a recommendation to the United Kingdom--in the same way that
not so long ago
we recommended a faster pace of democratișation in Hong Kong-- but ultimately the decision will be made by London.
At the same
time, we should realise that London will continue to pretend to the international community that we in Hong Kong are making the final decision, rather than just a recommendation.
In making our recommendation, moreover, we should be aware of the harm that Hong Kong could suffer were Britain to end the port of first asylum policy. In practice, such a decision would be unenforceable. When boats come to Hong Kong and refuse to
leave, or if people jump off boats, are we just to stand by and
the watch
Think
then of
terrible
harm
drown? people internationally that the people of Hong Kong would suffer, for it is certain that the international media will be there in full
force to record the event for the world to see, in the same way
the 51 boat that they reported the forcible repatriation of
: