XN000022-1996-06-11 — Page 6

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Tai A Chau Detention Centre to be closed

In response to press enquiries, a government spokesman today (Tuesday) confirmed that in November 1988, the Security Branch did undertake to close the Whitehead Detention Centre first when the Vietnamese migrant (VM) situation improved.

He said it was most unfortunate that VMs continued to arrive in large numbers until the end of 1991, thus requiring the establishment not only of Whitehead, but also of High Island and Tai A Chau.

"Our objective now is the repatriation of the whole VM population as soon as possible. This objective is endorsed by the community at large," the spokesman said.

Unlike the VMs in other camps, those in Tai A Chau have not been made to feel the impact of the Orderly Repatriation Programme (ORP).

The result was evident for all to see, he said, adding that the pace of voluntary repatriation from Tai A Chau had been pitifully low only 570 VMs from that camp had joined the voluntary programme over the last two years.

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"There is no reason to believe that this trend will change for as long as this VM population remains in Tai A Chau," the spokesman said.

There are obvious logistical difficulties in mounting ORP operations in Tai A Chau. The population there must therefore be moved to a mainland camp.

"If we are to meet our repatriation objectives, we have no option but to go ahead with the transfer of the Tai A Chau population to Whitehead," the spokesman stressed.

End