TNAG-0974-FCO40-1193-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-in-other--1980 — Page 121

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Members were unanimous that Hong Kong needs special attention and expressed regret that they did not o ain detailed information about

Hong Kong two years ago, when the problem started. They were very impressed about the facilities provided to refugees in Hong Kong.

The decision about the annual quota rests with a council of ministries (Development, Foreign Affairs, Justice). The quota of 2,000 included refugees from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and family

reunion cases. The total amount allocated for 1979 for the resettle-

ment of these contingent refugees came to 156 million Belgian francs.

Upon arrival the various agencies are responsible for housing, employment,

schooling, medical care and 3-4 months financial assistance.

The agencies give special considerations to families with small children,

with relatives already in Belgium or those who waited a long time.

The agencies stated quite definitely that they will call refugees from

Hong Kong once government has decided what quota and what the budget

for 1980 will be.

3rd June:

We visited during this day the following government departments:

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1) Mr. Erpels - Chief of Cabinet, Ministry of Cooperation

2) Minister Eyskens

Ministry of Cooperation

3) Mr. Luc Steyaert Minister Plenipotentiary, Far East

4) Mr. J. Desy Counsellor, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

5) Mr. Frans Roelants Secretary General, Ministry of

Foreign Affairs

6) Mr. Janssens General Administrator, Ministry of Justice

We presented Hong Kong's case in detail to each of these gentlemen.

Their reactions can be summarized as follows:

a)

Certain circles in government are politically motivated and prefer to take refugees from Laos and Cambodia at the expense of the boat refugees.

b) Although most of the officials were acquainted with the Hong Kong

refugee problem, they had not realized the variety of difficulties

Hong Kong has to cope with. All of them stated that the information

given by us would be presented to the interministerial council at

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