FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1985
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THE CENTRE WILL BE MANAGED, AS ARE ALL OTHER CLOSED CENTRES, BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND A VOLUNTARY AGENCY. IN BOWRING, THE SAVE THE CHILDREN FUND WILL PROVIDE SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES TO THE REFUGEES.
REFUGEES ARE ALLOWED TO MOVE FREELY WITHIN THE CENTRE, BUT THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE, UNLESS ESCORTED BY CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF.
UNDER EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR) CONTRIBUTES TOWARDS THE CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF ALL VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG. THE UNHCR ALSO PROVIDES FUNDS FOR VOLUNTARY AGENCIES RUNNING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES IN THE CENTRES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT 2 230 REFUGEES HAD ARRIVED IN 1984 AND A FURTHER 129 THIS YEAR. IT IS ENVISAGED THAT IF THE ARRIVAL RATE CONTINUES AT ITS PRESENT PACE, THE BOWRING CLOSED CENTRE MAY HAVE TO BE FULLY UTILISED EARLY NEXT YEAR.
HONG KONG HAS ACCEPTED ITS INTERNATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE PEOPLE BY OFFERING THEM TEMPORARY ASYLUM, THE SPOKESMAN SAID. IT IS UP TO THE RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES TO HELP ENSURE THAT THE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG DO NOT BECOME THE FORGOTTEN PEOPLE.
HE ADDED, THE INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF REFUGEES IS RESETTLEMENT IN A THIRD COUNTRY.
NEW ID CARDS FOR MEN BORN 1945-47
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MEN BORN IN 1945, 1946 AND 1947 WILL BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR NEW IDENTITY CARDS FROM MARCH 11 TO APRIL 13 THIS YEAR, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THEY ARE THE FIRST AGE-GROUP TO BE AFFECTED BY THE SECOND CYCLE OF THE NEW ID CARD ISSUE SCHEME FOR MEN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID 100 000 APPLICATIONS WERE EXPECTED DURING THIS PHASE.
APPLICANTS MAY CALL AT ANY ONE OF THE EIGHT ISSUE OFFICES BETWEEN 8 AM AND 9.30 PM, MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS, WITHIN THE FIVE-WEEK PERIOD.
FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO USE THE MAIL-IN APPOINTMENT SERVICE, APPLICATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM DISTRICT OFFICES AND IMMIGRATION OFFICES.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT NO AMNESTY WOULD BE GRANTED TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
+ONCE DETECTED, THEY WILL BE REPATRIATED, HE SAID.
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