TNAG-0654-FCO40-803-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 32

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DSR 11C

expected to provide

guarantee under the proposed arrange-

ments. But I understand your need to draw the line

This somewhere and, from our point of view, if #really has to

dove

be drawn then it should be drawn at UK registered vessels

(including those registered in Colonial ports of owner

Territories).

As far as I can see, no arrangement, short of all

countries agreeing to give temporary asylum without demanding

guarantees of other countries, is going to be perfect.

recommend a rigid policy to

Some

I

can see problems if we tie our hands behind our backs and give

guarantees only on behalf of UK registered ships. S.Given

that there is no legal responsibility on any government to

accept refugees and that our purpose is, firstly, to relieve

the burden on British shipping lines and, secondly, to see to it

that the refugees themselves are treated in a humane way

and relieved of their own anxiety and insecurity as far as

To

to have possible, I believe our best course would be aim fer some

kind

flexibility, rather than a rigid policy, to enable us to deal

with each case on its merits. I am not sure whether such

a scheme would be acceptable to your Department or to the

Home Secretary: You will be able to judge this. Svart

think you will be able to point out that, based on past—–

experience, few refugees would in the event be likely to come

here if we can retain a flexible approach to the problem as-

we have been able to do in the past by virtue of our quota of 176. But if

The Copacons proposades in

Houve Secretary cared agree to

your

cases of

Mon uk

take draft submission and agree also to provide you with a discretion to give a groankee in any special ca registered vessels (which otherwise have a close connexion with the UK) Then this might well

скутим чий

we need to confront give us the flexibility

These problems.

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