TNAG-0885-FCO40-1095-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 87

(We have however indicated to the ASEAN Governments that it might

be difficult for us to support the scheme if they are not prepared to include Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong within the scope of the scheme).

11. The Hong Kong Government are particularly concerned about the slow rate at which refugees are being resettled by the UNHCR. Although the High Commissioner has spoken of a programme for resettling 1,000 refugees a month from Hong Kong, in fact the average this year has been less than 800 a month. This compares with an average rate of new arrivals which so far in May has reached over 500 a day, and is still increasing. Now that the prevailing wind is from the south-west (making it much easier for small boats to sail direct from Vietnam to Hong Kong), this rate is not likely to drop at least until the autumn. On present trends, there are likely

by then to be over 75,000 Vietnamese refugees in Hong Kong.

Accommodation for Refugees in Hong Kong

The Goven

12. The biggest problem for Hong Kong, given its crowded conditions and acute housing shortage, is to find sufficient temporary accommodation for the Vietnamese refugees. At present there are only three camps available which, even when renovations and extensions are completed, will have space for only 17,500 people. As a result many refugees are being temporarily accommodated in prisons. ment are making urgent efforts to find sites for further camps and, in cooperation with the UNHCR, to provide suitable temporary accommodation. on them. But the Government are conscious of the risk

of friction with the local population if it were thought that significant resources were being diverted from the programme to provide desperately needed public housing.

Other-Sources of Refugees (for use if necessary)

CAMBODIA

13.

The situation in the Thai border areas remains confused with large groups of refugees crossing and re-crossing the border: the war in Cambodia, where Vietnamese troops are trying to supress the resistance of forces loyal to the Pol Fot régime (which we recognise) has led to widespread displacements of population. Thousands of Cambodian civilians have been herded by armed Pol Pot soldiers across the Thai border, where some have been accepted for resettlement; but nost have been returned across the border.

/14.