TNAG-0896-FCO40-1106-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 257

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United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees amounting to US$190 million. This demonstrated the extent of the international community's determination to tackle the

problem.

At Geneva the United Nations Secretary-General announced that the Vietnamese had authorised him to say that for a reasonable period of time they would make every effort to stop "illegal" departures, and that in the meantime they would co-operate with the United Nations High Commissioner

for Refugees so as to bring departures into orderly and

safe channels. This is the first time the Vietnamese

Government have acknowledged even implicitly that they

control the refugee traffic.

honour their pledge.

Much now depends on how they

We shall be keeping a close eye on this, and shal do what we can to help maintain international pressure

the Vietnamese to improve their treatment of their own

population. This may have some effect, as the Vietnamese

have some sensitivity towards international' opinion;"

attitude at Geneva revealed this.

their

I enclose a copy of Lord Trefgarne's statement in the

House of Lords on 24 July, which summarises our views on the

meeting.

The Government have noted the extent to which

individuals and organisations in Britain, including the

Methodist Relief Fund, have shown sympathy towards the

Indo-Chinema rofugeen in their plight.

I enclose the Rev Money's letter.