TNAG-0887-FCO40-1097-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 86

aboard the 'Sibonga' in Hong Kong who are not

accare for resettlement in other countries; and we

shall continue to consider applications for

resettlement here of family reunification cases and of

others from the region who have ties or connections

with. the United Kingdom. Moreover, Britain has

already pledged £3.5 million for the general programme

and of the High Commissioner for Refugees in 1979

(whether we can give will consider/ further financial help in the light of the escalating costs of the programme caused by the

rapidly increasing numbers of refugees in South East

Asia. But we hope that all countries in a position to

do so, regardless of political views or alignment,

will contribute to the relief of this overwhelming

distress.

1

I believe urgent attention must be given

throughout the world to the question of resettlement.

At present only a few countries are carrying the

burden. The great majority of member states of the

United Nations have done little or nothing to help the

High Commissioner for Refugees in his mot daunting

task of caring for and resettling the refugees.

these countries are many who have the capacity and

ability to resettle and give new hope to these

unhappy people from Indo-China. in your power to encourage such countries to do sor-

You will have our full support in this.

Among

Fask you to do all

The untiring efforts of the High Commissioner for

Refugees deserve the greatest praise. However, the

situation caused by Vietnam's inhuman actions is so

grave that I am convinced that a further conference of

/member

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