TNAG-0899-FCO40-1109-Refugees-from-Vietnam-in-Hong-Kong-Vietnamese-boat-people-1979 — Page 91

At the Lancaster House Conference we are working urgently

for a solution to the Rhodesian problem which will enable all

refugees to return to their homes. When the time comes, we shall

be ready to do all we can to cooperate with the international

organisation working in the field, to facilitate their return.

We are

We are also very much concerned at the extent of the problem

in the Horn of Africa, involving as it does at least one million

people, and the severe financial and administrative burdens which

have been placed on the governments concerned as a result.

particularly impressed by the extent to which these governments

have, from their own resources and with the help of the specialised

agencies, managed to contain the situation. The existence of these

refugees is a sympton of the tensions which still exist in this part

of the world. The only satisfactory solution to the problem will

be a return to peace and stability which we continue to urge

various governments to work towards. The British Government have

since early 1978 responded to UNHCR and ICRC appeals for African

refugees relief programmes by contributing well in excess of

one million pounds Sterling. We believe this is the most effective

way donors can act to alleviate the problem in the short term.

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