XN000022-1989-11-08 — Page 50

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1989

AT

"ALTHOUGH OUR OVERALL VIETNAMESE CAMT POPULATION STANDS OVER 57.000. WE HAVE ONLY 13.000 VIETNAMESE OF REFUGEE STATUS AND IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS PART OF THE CPA WILL MAKE A SATISFACTORY REDUCTION TO THIS FIGURE. HE SAID.

14

(ODP)

MR BARNES NOTED THAT THE ORDERLY DEPARTURE PROGRAMME FROM VIETNAM WAS ALSO GOING WELL AND ABOUT 45,000 PEOPLE WOULD LEAVE THE COUNTRY DURING 1989. A 100 PER CENT INCREASE OVER 1988.

"THE ODP IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT PROVIDES A LEGITIMATE FOR DEPARTURE AND THEREBY TAKES SOME OF THE PRESSURE OFF FIRST COUNTRIES,' IIE NOTED.

AVENUE ASYLUM

MR BARNES SAID HE HOPED HONG KONG COULD MAKE PROGRESS ON THE ISSUE OF REPATRIATION WHEN THE THIRD

COMMITTEE MEETING RECONVENED IN GENEVA ON DECEMBER 4 AND 5.

STEERING

"WITHOUT THIS ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT, AND THE DETERRENT MESSAGE IT WOULD SEND. HONG KONG COULD WELL FACE ANOTHER MAJOR INFLUX OF BOAT PEOPLE IN 1990.

"THE INTERNATIONAL COMUNITY HAS ENDORSED THE CPA. AND THE COUNTRIES OF FIRST ASYLUM MUST BE ALLOWED TO IMPLEMENT IT IN FULL IF WE ARE TO CONTINUE TO COPE WITH THE ENORMOUS PRESSURES IMPOSED ON US BY ARRIVALS FROM VIETNAM. HE SAID.

I

MR BARNES COMMENDED THE DISCIPLINED AND AUXILIARY SERVICES. MANY OF WHICH HAD BEEN HEAVILY COMMITTED TO COPING WITH THE INFLUX OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.

"ALL HAVE FACED DIFFICULTIES IN RECRUITMENT. AND IN REPLACING SKILLED AND EXPERIENCED MANPOWER. YET THEY HAVE ALL RESPONDED

MAGNIFICENTLY.

"HONG KONG CAN BE VERY PROUD OF ITS DISCIPLINED AND AUXILIARY SERVICES AND FOR THE HIGHLY PROFESSIONAL MANNER IN WHICH THEY THEIR MANY AND VARIED DUTIES." HE SAID.

PERFORM

ENSURING LAW IS IN LINE WITH COMMUNITY REQUIREMENTS

* * *

THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO REVIEW HONG KONG'S CRIMINAL AND PENAL LAW TO ENSURE IT REMAINS UF TO DATE AND IN LINE WITH COMMUNITY REQUIREMENTS AND PRESENT SOCIAL ATTITUDES. THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY. THE HON GEOFFREY BARNES. SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE GOVERNOR'S POLICY ADDRESS, MR BARNES SAID GOOD PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE WITH LEGISLATION TO COMBAT ORGANISED CRIME.

/THE ENACTMENT

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