TNAG-0894-FCO40-1104-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 289

Our reference: IMG/79 58/1026/10 Your reference:

P Williamson Esq

Bu pla

HOME OFFICE

Lunar House, Wellesley Road, CROYDON CR9 2BY

Hong Kong and General Department Foreign and Commonwealth Office

SWI

Telephone: 01-686 0333, ext. 2341

But 2412.

12 July 1979

1343A)

Prints raised with

Mr But

ReR

MKK243/1

23

AW 40.

Dear Williamson

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES: m v SIBONGA

I refer to paragraph 2 of Hong Kong telno 929 of 5 July.

No Phiya. 3/9.

1291

I suspect that the petition from the 61 was prompted by the sight of their fellow refugees boarding aircraft for the UK while they face an uncertain period in uncomfortable conditions pending processing by the Americans. Although conditions in the UK would be more pleasant we know from experience that their onward movement to the States would be accorded a very low priority.

Our view is that, although we

accept ultimate responsibility for all the Sibonga refugees, we would expect those with apparently strong claims for resettlement under the American programme to pursue that channel first. Only if they are formally rejected by the Americans will they be admissible here.

We attach some importance to avoiding any commitment to accept refugees as a last resort if they have nowhere else to go being broadened into a commitment to accept them as a first resort or staging post.

sincere

(:

G L ANGEL