RATE OF OFF-TAKE OF REFUGEES IN HONG KONG BY OTHER COUNTRIES
13. The US Government's planned quota is currently 2,000 a
month from Hong Kong, although for administrative reasons
they have not so far been able to attain this figure. Other
Governments have not specified the rate at which they will
resettle refugees in Hong Kong.
REFUGEES IN AFRICA
14. We do recognise the great magnitude of refugee problems
in Africa. Africa is still the continent with by far the
largest number of refugees (over 2,000,000). African refugee
problems tend to be solved in Africa, through refugee repatriation
when possible and with financial help from the international
community.
REFUGEES RESCUED BY BRITISH VESSELS
15. Masters of British vessels are well aware of their obliga-
tions towards persons in distress at sea. We recognise that.
compliance with these obligations can present problems to Masters
and to shipowners. It is therefore our view that the so-called
"first port of call" principle should apply and we hope that one
of the results of the July Geneva meeting on Indo-Chinese refugees
will be to give further weight to this principle.
BRITISH RESCUE SHIP IN S.E.AJIAN WATERS?
16. We share the desire to save as many lives ar possible but
it calls for very careful judgement whether it would be in the
best interests of the refugees to offer the remote prospect
of rescue at sea as an incentive to set out.
WHAT ARE
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