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appreciate that we have international obligations regarding the treatment of the boat people by the DTS, not only under
the UN Refugee Convention, but also under the European
Convention on Human Rights.
Whatever
6. Finally, we should not take lightly the possible long-term consequences to the UK of accepting boat people on Crown UK
territory on behalf of the Americans. In international Law responsibility would fall to the UK, and not the US.
assurance the US Administration were to offer the experience
of Hong Kong, and the fickle nature of Congress and the US
Courts, should give us pause for thought. Given the
precarious financial state of the TCI Government we would have
to accept liability for every cost associated with such a programme were the US Administration unable to deliver on
their (so far loose) promises. If the economy of the TCI
suffered as a consequence of the boat people's presence, HMG
would probably have to bear the burden under the aid budget.
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LEGAL ADVISERS
POLICY PLANNING STAFF
31377 105 27031
PS
YES7 C87C