TNAG-0587-FCO40-720-Aid-from-UK-for-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1976 — Page 174

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in each case would be the UNHCR's assurance of

responsibility for final asylum and that this mattered

more than the acceptance of costs, welcome though the

latter was. H.E.'s personal view was that Hong Kong could accept future groups of refugees provided that numbers were not too great, that they did not come too often and

that firm assurances were given in each case.

4.

Mr. Sampatkumar saw no possibility of the

flow of refugees from Vietnam ceasing altogether, but

the numbers this year were somewhat less than last year.

There were still many who wished to leave because they

had relatives who had already left the country or because

they had had associations with the former regime, with

Government agencies or the Americans (a knowledge of English

was regarded as sufficient evidence of this).

5.

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Mr. Sampat kumar saw no need for a permanent

UNHCR representative in Hong Kong the numbers of refugees

involved were too small and the voluntary agencies were

coping. H.E. assured him that no-one had suggested that

this would be necessary but added that it would be very helpful if a representative could come to Hong Kong in the event of any new development. Mr. Sampat kumar agreed

that this would be done.

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