TNAG-0880-FCO40-1090-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 137

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RECEIVED IN REGNTVED. 51

VISIT BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO WASHINGTON: 1-4 FEBRUARY

BRIEF NO. 8A: SOUTH EAST ASIA

K

VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE

LINE TO TAKE

N2

заг

1. I continue to be concerned at the increasing numbers of

refugees leaving Vietnam and at the racket in which the

Vietnamese authorities are involved to encourage the exodus

for payment. I recently complained to the Vietnamese

Ambassador about this.

2. Hong Kong is particularly vulnerable and the Governor is

worried about the build up of refugees there. I am grateful

for American understanding and assistance in resettling people

from Hong Kong. We are doing what we can, but our ability

to absorb significant numbers of refugees is severely limited.

We shall continue to give our full support to the UN High

Commissioner for Refugees in his efforts to find solutions to

this problem.

BACKGROUND

3. The Governor in Hong Kong is concerned at the increasing

numbers of Vietnamese boat people arriving in the Colony.

Countries in the region are becoming saturated with Vietnamese

refugees and the offers of resettlement places for them from

the international community do not match the numbers of new

refugee arrivals. The Governor has asked whether the time is

ripe for an Anglo/American Plan and whether Anglo/American

discussions might be the best way to launch it. He asks that

CONFIDENTIAL

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