- 28.
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Mr Rifkind: We'd need to establish whether there was a consensus within the European Union for a linkage of that kind and whether such a linkage was acceptable in terms of international treaty obligations and the way in which one deals with persons in the position of the Vietnamese to whom we are referring. Of course if there are ways in which we can improve the prospects for their early repatriation and do so in a lawful way and in a way which is consistent with our obligations, we will be very happy to do so. We share with you the objective of seeing this policy fully implemented within the appropriate time. That is our objective and you can assume that any lawful and proper way which would help achieve that objective we will be happy to support.
Mr James To (in Chinese): In relation to the 2,000 awarded refugee status, the latter part of my question?
Mr Rifkind: On that specific problem, if they have already been granted refugee status then obviously their circumstances are different to the remainder and that ought to be easier to resolve.
Dr Leong Che-hung: Perhaps you could come back to us in writing on that?
Mr Rifkind: Sure.
Mrs Selina Chow: Foreign Secretary, I'd just like to state that as far as this council is concerned, and there has been two motion debates on this subject, and the support is overwhelming for Britain to take on the responsibility should the repatriation programme fail by 1997. In other words we are not just talking about the 2,000 refugees, we are talking about the entire Vietnamese boat people problem, in terms of both financial as well as the burden of these boat people. Now I know that the Governor is shaking his head, I know that he has repeatedly said that we should not in fact be asking for it, I'm sure that this is the view of the British Government, but as far as Hong Kong is concerned this is certainly not the sentiment of Hong Kong. Hong Kong feels very strongly that it is a responsibility that should be taken on by the British Government and I'd very much like to hear your views Foreign Secretary on this.