TNAG-0559-FCO40-654-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-into-othe-1975 — Page 235

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3. The summary of the outstanding appeals for aid in andfor Indo China, and two appeals which may emerge shortly, is

given in Annex B. Three of the appeals listed concern relief

in Vietnam exclusively: the others cover aspects of relief elsewhere in Indo China and for refugees outside Indo China. Mrs Hart's announcement on 3 April (Annex C) said that she was "making available fm for immediate relief in the whole of South Vietnam and as necessary in other affected areas of Indo China." In her statement in the House of Commons on 9 April (Annex D) she referred to this announcement and

said the sum,

increased to £1m, was for "humanitarian needs in Vietnam

and Cambodia, particularly among the children." When the question of aid to Hong Kong Government, towards the cost of Vietnam refugees there, was raised in May, the then minister implied in a minute of 29 May to the Foreign Secretary that the latter statement defined the scope of the

£1m:

"When I announced the £1m of relief in Parliament I said it would

be available for humanitarian needs in Vietnam and Cambodia. I

propose therefore that this assistance to Hong Kong should come ..not from this £1m but from the separate fund for disasters relief."

The question is whether we should regard the remaining 4m as earmarked exclusively for relief in Vietnam and Cambodia or whether, in the light of changed circumstances it would be reasonable in principle to apply some or all of it to relief in connection with the Indo China problem outside those countries, We suggest that the latter/should not necessarily be excluded if they merit higher priority in humanitarian terms.

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4. As regards the appeals listed in Annex B, the UNHCR long-term appeal for Vietnam will be concerned with general rehabilitation and develop-

ment.

The relief phase has been concluded. We consider it would not be appropriate to contribute to this appeal, or to, the further appeal

Policy

envisaged by UNHCR, at least at present. The question of further assistance directed towards Vietnam/cannot be resolved while we have no diplomatic mission in the south of the country.

5.

The UNHCR appeal for resettlement/repatriation of Cambodians and

Vietnamese refugees outside Indo China is being devoted to maintenance

Trong xong of refugees in Singapore, Malaysia, and elsewhere. contributions-at-the rate of four Hong Kong dollars per day are being made for about 2000 refugees in Hong Kong. We consider there are reasonable humanitarian grounds for contributing to this appeal.

RESTRICTED

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