CONFIDENTIAL
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(d) Despite our own domestic problems on immigration, we are willing to accept the Vietnamese refugees with connections with this country in addition to approximately 300 already here. We have agreed to accept 100 with the right qualifications from those evacuated by the US authorities from Vietnam. We are giving urgent consideration to taking others with similar qualifications from Hong Kong.
(e) I am seeking the cooperation of the Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, Danish and Swedish governments. in absorbing others (see m.i.f.t.) I hope that the
American Embassies in these countries can be instructed to make similar representations.
(f) This will have more chance of success if the United States is prepared to play its part in absorbing a proportion or the refugees in Hong Kong, particularly those with US connections. Hong Kong telegram no 421 to the FCO indicates that many of the arrivals on 29/30 April probably have such connections; and there may well be others among those who arrived later. There may also be a residuum- with no connections anywhere who might appropriately go to the United States to join the Vietnamese community there. The total number of refugees in Hong Kong is very small in comparison with those which the United States is already having to absorb.
3. You may add that it is in no one's interest to increase the problems facing Hong Kong domestically or to endanger its present satisfactory relationship with the CPR. I hope therefore the American Government will take all factors into account when considering the problem.
4. Please report local reaction as soon as possible.
CONFIDENTIAL
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