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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13, 1975.
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES ARE AN +INTERNATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY, +
SAYS ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY
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THE VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG ARE AN INTERNATIONAL RESPONSBILITY NOT JUST HONG KONG'S PROBLEM, THE ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. MICHAEL CLINTON, SAID TODAY.
HE TOLD COUNCIL THAT MANY OF THE REFUGEES WERE BECOMING FRUSTRATED AND DISPIRITED WITH VAITING AND IT IS TO BE IMPED THAT THOSE COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE SO FAR NOT MADE ANY ARRANGEMENTS TO ASSIST IN THIS PROBLEM WILL NOW MAKE TANGIBLE EFFORTS TO HELP.+
MR. CLINTON NOTED THAT MORE THAN 20 GOVERNMENTS HAVE BEEN APPROACHED SO FAR TO HELP ABSORB SOME OF THE REFUGEES AND HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE GOVERNMENTS OF CANADA, FRANCE, AUSTRALIA AND THE U.S.A. FOR THEIR RESPONSE.
A NUMBER OF OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE PROMISED OR OFFERED TO TAKE SOME AND CONSULTATIONS ARE CONTINUING, HE SAID, AND THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSION FOR REFUGEES HAD OFFERED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
THE NUMBER OF REFUGEES HAS BEEN REDUCED TO 2,450, WITH MOST OF THOSE THAT LEFT GOING TO THE U.S.
+WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO BUT WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT THE USA IN PARTICULAR WILL TAKE MANY MORE QUITE SOON INCLUDING, I DELIEVE, 250 DUE TO LEAVE LATER THIS WEEK.
+IF SO, IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO CLOSE DOWN THE HARCOURT ROAD CAMP AND CONCENTRATE THE REMAINING REFUGEES IN DODUE.L'S RIDGE AND SAI KUNG CAM S,+ HE SAID.
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