GR 285
IMMEDIATE
CONFIDENTIAL
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CYPHER/CAT A
FM HONG KONG 220849Z
CONFIDENTIAL
DESKBY 220938Z
HKK 243/1
BELEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51 2 2 FEB 1978
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
RE
PA
Actio
MI
Mo 85.220
TO IMMEDIATE F.C.O TELNO.207 OF 22 FEBRUARY 78.
10
YOUR TELNO.131 : P.Q ON VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.
1. WE CONCUR WITH PROPOSED REPLY IN YOUR PARA.1, OF COURSE WE CANNOT BE CERTAIN AT THIS STAGE HOW THE REFUGEES WOULD REACT TO AN OFFER. NONE HAVE YET APPLIED FOR ENTRY TO THE U.K AND MOST WOULD CLEARLY PREFER THE U.S. HOWEVER, THERE WOULD BE CONSIDERABLE POLITICAL ADVANTAGE LOCALLY IN SHOWING WILLINGNESS TO TAKE SOME OF THE BURDEN AND THIS WOULD ALSO HELP US PERSUADE OTHER COUNTRIES TO OFFER ENTRY.
2. ANSWERS TO YOUR PARA.2 :
(A) 406 (406) SMALL BOAT REFUGEES REMAIN.
(B)
(C)
IN ADDITION TO THE BOAT PEOPLE'', 3982 (3982) DEPENDANTS OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS AND 693 (693) FORMER
HONG KONG RESIDENTS HAVE ARRIVED SINCE THE SPECIAL FLIGHTS FROM H.C.M CITY STARTED IN 1977. SOME OF THESE HAVE APPLIED TO GO ELSEWHERE UNDER NORMAL QUOTAS. IN THE PERIOD BEFORE APRIL 1975 A LARGE NUMBER OF INDO-CHINESE VISITORS WERE ACCEPTED FOR SHORT STAYS WHICH HAVE NOW BEEN EXTENDED THEY HAVE NOW SETTLED INTO THE LOCAL POPULATION. THERE ARE
ALSO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO ENTERED BEFORE THE FALL OF
SAIGON AND WHOM WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPATRIATE. PRECISE FIGURES ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THESE LAST TWO CATEGORIES, BUT THE TOTAL IS IN EXCESS OF 10,000 (10,000).
NONE OF THOSE IN (A) OR (B) ABOVE ARE IN REFUGEE CAMPS OR
GOVERNMENT ACCOMMODATION. THE 'BOAT PEOPLE'' ARE
ACCOMMODATED BY U.N.H.C.R IN HOTELS AND GUEST HOUSES. THE
REST ARE LIVING WITH RELATIVES, FRIENDS OR IN PRIVATE
ACCOMMODATION.
CONFIDENTIAL
/ (D) YES,
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