TNAG-0971-FCO40-1190-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-in-the-UK-1980 — Page 3

L.R.

HOTE OF A MEETING HELD IN THE HOME OFFICE ON 9TH DECEMBER 1980

99

!! LAZY

Mrs

REFUGEES

Present:

Mr Raison

Mr Angel

Mr Goddard

Mr Gilbert

Original at: Hvic o26/24

'This Copy for:

Information only / Action on

Para(s)

Mr Poul Hartling (UNHCR)

Mr Georges Koulicher (Executive Assia br.

Mr Jacob Landau (UNHCR London

to UNICR)

Representative)

HKK 243/2

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NO. 51

3 1 DEC 1980

The purpose of the meeting was to gnäsle Mrs Hartlingiayho was on a visit London, to pay a courtesy call on r Batson andrto discussakanth him the pres. situation of refugees.

No

2

AN

S

2. Mr Raison welcomed Mr Hartling and expressed his regrets that he had been unable to attend the UNHCR Executive Committee Meeting in Geneva at the beginning of October. Mr Hartling understood the reasons for this oud wissed sa express his thanks for the constructive approach taken by the United Kinreon in refugee potuers, and there followed a discussion on the question of applicati” from Iranians for refugee status, whion war a particular provlem for the Home Office Refugee Unit at present. Mr Hartling was assured that applicants who had adduced a claim to be recognised as refugees were allowed to remein in this country.

However, the Home Office had found that sone asylum aplicatii from Iranians were being made more as last-ditch attempts to remain tere und out of a sound'y-based vellef that they faced persecution Af returned to Ira. In these circumstanced applicants via og td not ouderwise bring the the immigration rules would be expected to leave the United Kingdom.

3. Mr Raison told Mr Hartling that or his visit to Hong Kong and Thailand had been intressed with the work being carried out by the UNCR officials. made special mention of the holding centres in Thailand which he thought were very well run. Mr Hartling was glad to hear this, commenting that there had been considerable difficulties at first in setting up these camps from scratch. but he too thought that the results were impressive.

4. Turning to the Vietnamese refugees it was .reed that the members still awaiting resettlement in Hong Kong had been reduced. Mr Raison s. id th. problems in resettlement wer- ch-fly at this end, since it was not housing for the refugees. It was hoped, however, to complete the texe-ro quota of 10,000 by March/April next year. Mr Hartling was pleased to see public opinion in this country was still favourable towards the Vietnamace refugees and that those actively involved in the resettlement programme were maintaining a positive approach to their task. My Hartling hoped that the United Kingdom would continue to play her part by announcing a further quote. This was particularly inportant in order to encourage the United States, whic was taking 14,000 Vietnamese refugecs a month, to continue to bear tie ui the problem. The United States was content to as it could be shown that other countries wore well.

take in half the refugned de 17

1113ng

ling to pull their weig

15.

Mr Hartling