1388
CONFIDENTIAL
HKK 243/1
RETAIL.
DRAFT PASSAGE ON HONG KONG RESETTLEMENT PLEDGE 70
DESK
The UNICR has suggested that llong Kong should contr
Contribute 20 to his policy of partial resettlement with the ion by
dilon by HA ubsorbing 10,000 boat refugees. This came as a surprise since?
the territory is so small and overcrowded, has already accepted since 1975 14,000 persons from Indo-China and is now giving temporary acylum to 66,000 boat refugees. Moreover, in addition to the Vietnamese refugees Hong Kong has had an influx of well over 200,000 persons from China in the past 18 months. The latter flow has now happily been substantilly reduced, but the problems it hus created remain.
The Hong Kong Government's main concern is that this conference adopts adequate measures to deal with the problem of Indo-Chinese refugoes, and that these should include an on- going resettlement programe, commensurate with the totality of the problem, of which u fair share is allocated to Hong Kong.
As its contribution to such a programe, it is prepared to agree to the UIICR's ruggection, and allow 10,000 rofugees to take up permanent residence. It does so on the understanding that early steps will be taken to give Hong Kong a more oquitable share of the increased resettlemant places mude uvailable by host countries, and that the UNICR will accept responsibility for the recettle cent of all other refugees who are in or will come to Hong Kong, and devote all possible resources tovurd their maintenance.
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