CONFIDENTIAL
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are continuing with the Chinese over the return of further groups. The UNHCR have raised with the Hong Kong Government a few cases of refugees who returned who appeared to have good prospects of resettlement in other countries. The Hong Kong Government have provided details on the understanding that the cases would only be pursued after the refugees had first returned to China.
ISLAND PROCESSING CENTRES
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UNHCR are financing Processing Centres on Galaag Island
(Indonesia
near Singapore) and Tara (off Palawan, Philippines) with a capacity of 10,000 each, and one with a capacity of 50,000 in the Philippines, at Bataan. Japan has offered half the cost. The UNHCR have appealed for additional funds, and contributions have so far been forthcoming from the USA and Switzerland.
6
Our
The Centres are to hold refugees who are eligible for resettlement (mainly in USA) but whose departure awaits administrative arrangements in the resettlement country. concern has been to ensure access for refugees in Hong Kong. The centres were an ASEAN initiative designed to ease the pressure on Malaysia, and the ASEAN states originally maintained that only
It has now been accepted by their refugees should have access.
There
UNHCR that Hong Kong should get a share of the places (possibly as many as 10,000 out of the 50,000 available at Bataan). may however be pressure on us and the Hong Kong Government to contribute to the funding of the project.
CONFIDENTIAL
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