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VIETNAMESE REFUGEES: PRESENT SITUATION
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The flow of boat refugees from Vietnam has lessened since
the July meeting in Geneva. But over 64,000 still await
resettlement in Hong Kong alone,
There are indications that
the numbers reaching coasts around the South China Sea have
begun to rise again.
DIRECT DEPARTURES (7 POINT PROGRAMME)
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We understand that the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and
the Vietnamese Government are still discussing the expansion of
[If pressed] UNHCR have details of those
this programme.
individuals whom the UK is ready to accept under these
procedures. But we have no plans to allocate a quota for such
departures.
BOAT RESCUES
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We continue to emphasise the importance of the first port
of call principle, and are pleased that in recent cases both
Japan and South Korea have accepted into temporary asylum
refugees rescued by British-registered vessels.
VIETNAMESE INTENTIONS
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We sincerely hope that Vietnam will not revert to its earlier
policies of expelling large numbers of its population in
unseaworthy boats. The UN Secretary-General will soon be reporting
to the General Assembly, which will give us a further opportunity
of assessing the situation.
INDO-CHINESE REFUGEES IN THE UK
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Since 1975, some 3,000 refugees have arrived in the UK
from Indo-China, most from Vietnam itself. Over 1,000 have
already been resettled in permanent accommodation.
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