WHAT HELP WILL HMG OFFER IN THE RESETTLEMENT OF REFUGEES IN THAILAND OR ELSEWHERE IN SOUTH EAST ASIA?
13. The decision whether to accept refugees for resettlement
must be for the individual countries concerned. If countries
or the UNHCR were to approach us we would certainly be prepared to consider whether we could help.
WHAT INSTRUCTIONS HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO BRITISH SHIPS TO PICK UP REFUGEES?
14. We know that British masters have gone out of their way
to help refugees. The General Council of British Shipping, at the request of the Government, some time ago reminded
British masters of our own legislation requiring them to rescue anyone in distress at sea when it is within their power to do so.
CAN WE NOT INSTIGATE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE GOVERNMENTS OF THOSE COUNTRIES FROM WHICH REFUGEES ARE FLEEING, WITH A VIEW TO SOLVING THE PROBLEM?
15. I cannot think it would do any good to remonstrate with the Communist Governments concerned. I and my colleagues have frequently expressed our abhorrence of the actions of the Cambodian Government, in particular, for their brutal handling of the Cambodian people.
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