TNAG-0558-FCO40-653-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-into-othe-1975 — Page 14

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Ref.MW/GR 1/328 Pt. II

CONFIDENTIAL

Note on Meeting in Director of Immigration's Office at 1430 hours on Friday, 25th July 1975

Movement of Vietnamese Refugees to U.S.A.

Present: Mr. C.E. McManaway

Mr. Andrew Antippas Mr. Sol Isenstein

Mr. Sam I. Feldman

Mr. Charles Lahiguera

Mr. J.M. Rowlands

Mr. C. Drace-Francis

Mr. J.M. Murphie

to U.S.A.

(U.S. State Department) (U.S. State Department) (Associate Commissioner,

U.S. Immigration) (U.S. Immigration) (U.S. Consulate)

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(D. of I.)

(A.P.A.) (I.D.)

Mr O'Keeffe

To see

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234

partially important.

Mr. McManaway explained that the upper limit of 130,000 Vietnamese refugees from all sources to be accepted in the United States still stood.

As far as the 1,300 refugees (more or less) in Hong Kong who have been processed by the U.S. Consulate are concerned, movement should begin within "a couple of weeks". A telegram would be sent to Washington to see if this could be speeded up.

The residue of refugees left after the United States and other countries has accepted the refugees they are now willing to take, will be a "real problem". It is expected that there will

"Optimistic be about 800 or 1,000 left in Hong Kong. Throughout the Far East

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the "residue" will be about 18,000 to 20,000. Congressional approval and the provision of additional funds will be required if these refugees are to be moved to the United States. Pressure from the British authorities in Washington will be very helpful when a decision on whether to make provision for these refugees is being taken. "The big guns will have to be brought to bear."

Mr. Rowlands explained Hong Kong's case for special treatment. We had accepted the refugees from the "Clara Maersk" without requiring them to continue their journey by the same ship on humanitarian grounds. Already 26% of the refugees had been settled in countries other than U.S.A. and this percentage would rise, perhaps to 35%. This is above the expectations of the U.S. authorities. Refugees who arrived before or after the period immediately following the change of government in Saigon were not being fed into the camps.

Mr. Drace-Francis explained the political problems the difficulties of spending money on a settlement scheme for refugees in Hong Kong; possible reaction of Finance Committee and the attitude of the Chinese authorities.

Mr. McHanaway said that Hong Kong's, case was appreciated and would be put forward at the appropriate time.

Mr. Drace-Francis and Mr. Rowlands said that a firm and realistic target date for the beginning of large scale movement of refugees to U.S.A. would be of great help. This would be much better than a promise of early action which could not be kept. Mr. McMeneway said that a firm date would be given to us as scom as possible.

BH Finnies

13/8

/Problems