TNAG-0895-FCO40-1105-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 162

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PAVY

CONFIDENTIAL HKK 243

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES: GENEVA CONFERENCE FOLLOW-UP:

FOR ACTION.

Objectives

27.7

26/ü

Mr Githar

GUIDELINES

1. Our objectives should now be, apart from the basidi of saving the maximum number of lives and alleviating human misery as far as possible:-

a) To give any help we can to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to follow up effectively the conclusions of the conference, eg on increased off-take from the region, resettlement in developing countries, development of UNHCR's agreement with Vietnam, transit centres, rescue at sea.

b)

To keep up the pressure on Vietnam to ensure that Vietnam adheres to the moratorium, improves its human rights performance and develops the agreement with the UNHCR on sensible lines.

c) To ensure that there is no discrimination against Hong Kong and that the pressure on Hong Kong is relieved.

a) To seek ways of finding a political solution to the problems of Cambodia which threaten the stability of Thailand and to alleviate famine there.

How to achieve these objectives

2.

a) The first objective has political and humanitarian aspects. The following are essential elements:-

i) Resettlement in the UK. We could lose our influence with the UNHCR if we appear to be dilatory in taking refugees from Hong Kong to this country.

ii) Finance. We shall also have to look very carefully at how we dispose of the remaining £2 millions out of the £5 million approved by Ministers before the Geneva conference. There will be calls for special contributions to a proposed fund for resettlement in developing countries, and for transit centres.

iii) Transit centres. We should continue to look sceptically at transit centres in Vietnam, but we should be ready to cooperate with UNHCR and ASEAN Governments, in the establishment of transit centres in the Philippines and Indonesia. might consider the use of voluntary agencies and

We

CONFIDENTIAL