TNAG-0974-FCO40-1193-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-in-other--1980 — Page 117

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In the afternoon of 27th May Mr. Stumpf departed for San Remo to

participate at a round table meeting of "the Institute of Humanitarian

Law" under the chairmanship of Caritas and the Diakonische Werk,

Germany. After the San Remo conference on 30th May Mr. Stumpf

proceeded to Bergneustadt to participate at the "Europaeische

Arbeitskonferenz Prakizierte Humanitas: Weltproblem Flüchtlinge

Eine Europäische Herausforderung Fragen Der Koordination Nationaler Und Internationaler Flüchtlingshilfe" (see separate papers) from

30th May to 1st June.

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Taize (France), 28th 29th May:

Miss Lee spoke to an audience of 2,000 (mostly young people) from

15 countries. The Hong Kong situation was presented to them. The

emphasis here was put upon their role and function when refugees

arrive in their neighbourhood, discussions were held with several

groups suggesting their active involvement in assisting refugee

families in adjusting to their new life and environment. Visited

two families sponsored by Taize community which concentrates on

hardship cases (widows with children, single youth, etc.).

were ethnic Vietnamese taken from Thailand and Indonesia. One

family works within Taize and supports itself thru farming.

other family lives in a nearby village with a French family in the

same house. The elder son works in Paris to support his family.

Both families are well-adjusted.

in school and the neighbourhood.

These

The

Their children are fully accepted

Another family sponsored by Taize recently arrived and was first

accommodated in a reception centre in Paris. When they were to

proceed to Taize they refused to go as they wish to join friends in Paris this was of course a great disappointment to Taize friends

who had a house and everything else ready to receive them.

Brussels 30th & 31st May:

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Miss Lee visited two refugee families outside of Brussels.

One family

is from Hong Kong, ethnic Vietnamese and already have some knowledge

of basic French.

Daughter taken to school by next door neighbour

Husband works in a garage and has bought a

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who is their friend.