TNAG-0881-FCO40-1091-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 82

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4.

are taken, such as have been taken in Hong Kong to stop the organised boat loads of refugees, who are probably now?

more of a serious problem than the small boat people, to-raduee the outflow this would deter the sort of organised exodus which has been recently taking place.

C. The existence of an island of Vietnamese refugees would be a continuing sign to the world of the appalling Vietnamese human rights record which is the basic cause of the refugee problem and even the Vietnamese, who wish to maintain their role in the non-aligned movement, might feel that they should take steps.

d. If an island were established it would be essential to continue to maintain strong pressure on the Vietnamese about their human rights and their current efforts to export their unemployment.

1 do not accordingly agree with Mr Simpson-ürlebar that the

case for setting up an island processing centre is unjustified, although I do see that there are major difficulties and objections, If Mr Simpson-Orlebar could produce a better alternative I should be only too happy but none seems to be available.

5 I recommend that we should be more forthcoming than

Mr Simpson-Orlebar suggests although we should not of course disguise the difficulties. If the UNHCR decides to support the island ideɛ

we should give him what help we can especially financial and materiai.

14 February 1979

こった。

Sir A Parsons

Mr Muray O.I.

MKGD

M&VD

News Dept SEAD

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HA H Cortazzi