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5. (contd)
able to take about 100 more refugees from Hong Kong. France is also still taking small groups of 20 to 30 a week and it is expected that they will accept up to another 200 or possibly more. There appears to be be no French quota and anyone who can establish a connection with France may be accepted. Australia has for the time being shot her bolt with the 201 who were flown out on a charter flight on 19 June and 7 others who had been accepted previously.
6.
Of the smaller countries, applications to take up to 100 each are being processed by both the Danish and Austrian missions, although there may as usual be a problem in that some of those selected are likely to leave for other countries. The German mission has forwarded 50 cases to Bonn, but received no reply as yet. The Belgians put 40 cases to Brussels on 20 May, but have been told that there could be no decisions until September; they are pressing for more urgent action. The Iranians have put 14 cases to Tehran out of several dozens who dreamt of joining the oil boom there. Switzerland, Colombia and Brazil are apparently also considering some cases and the new New Zealand Commissioner has urged his Government to widen their policy so that some more can be accepted from Hong Kong. Italy is considering a few cases, but there is no further movement on the cases which the Dutch Consulate-General referred to The Hague (our telegram No. 676 of 10 July to F C O and Hague telegram No. 180 SAVING of 11 July to F C 0).
7.
In Hong Kong, we have now admitted 98 refugees and may consider more cases. Obviously the more we take ourselves the greater the moral pressure we will be able to exert on others. This applies, as you are well aware, to Britain also and Immigration Department hope you may shortly have some news for them on the 71 cases which they submitted to you last month. We would also be grateful for an indication of whether you are likely to see any merit in Jackson's idea that some of the ex-British territories in the Caribbean might be approached to accept a few of the refugees from Hong Kong (our telegram No. 696 of 5 July to F C O). The President of Guyana is coming through Hong Kong next weekend and we intend to raise the matter with him if an appropriate opportunity occurs.
8.
Finally, there is the possibility of repatriation. Much will naturally depend on what the Americans do. So far, 35 possible repatriation cases here have been investigated by the UNHCR and details of 27 have been forwarded to their office in Saigon. But progress is likely to be slow unless we can tag on to the arrangements which the Americans may make for repatriating refugees
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