TNAG-0558-FCO40-653-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-into-othe-1975 — Page 37

CONFIDENTIAL

Record of a Discussion with M Jaeger (U N HCR, Director of Assistance) held at Government House

on 16 July 1975 at 5.30 p.m.

.

Present

HE the Governor

Director of Immigration

243

B.V. My Kinmiddly

18/8

o.r

ل

Acting Political Adviser

M Jaeger (UNHCR)

Mr Jackson (UNHCR)

1.

The Governor explained that Hong Kong had been attempting to resettle the Vietnamese refugees on a

bilateral basis, but the resettlement had been proceeding more slowly than hoped for, largely because of the American problems in Guam and at home.

2.

M Jaeger said that Hong Kong was one of several places in South East Asia with a problem of Vietnamese refugees. The UNHCR were very glad that Hong Kong had seen fit to give the refugees temporary asylum and they would encourage other governments to take refugees from Hong Kong for permanent resettlement. The rate of departure so far was not bad in comparison with similar situations: some 25 percent had left and another 30 percent

were in the pipeline, The balance however, perhaps amounting

to one-third of the refugees, were likely to pose greater difficulties and the UNH C R would be available to assist Hong Kong further in trying to move these people, although it would take time..

CONFIDENTIAL

-/3.