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PS/Mr Patten
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From:
R Godfrey
SEAD
Date: 12 May 1992
VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS
You asked for briefing on Vietnamese Migrants.
2 I attach a copy of the brief we prepared for incoming Ministers, just before the election.
B
3
To update the brief:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(a)
we signed an agreement this morning on
arrangements for the repatriation of non-refugees who arrived in Hong Kong before October 1991;
Hong Kong has undertaken to consider reintegration assistance to Vietnam, once the next phase is up and running. Further flights will depend on a contribution being forthcoming;
the Americans still maintain their opposition to non-voluntary returns; but seem unlikely to make waves as long as our repatriation flights go smoothly and there is no unfavourable press comment;
the first phase of the Orderly Repatriation Programme seems to have capped the outflow from Vietnam (only 7 arrivals at January 1992).
I also attach our draft inspired PQ which will be tabled tomorrow in the wake of signature of the modalities paper, together with supplementaries, and News Department's press statement.
Ebedtrey
R Godfrey
HKD 078/1 जना
REC
IND
2. MAY 1992
VB5ADH
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165.