TNAG-0974-FCO40-1193-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-in-other--1980 — Page 15

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UNCLASSIFIED

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1

Mr Flower, SEAD

NICK 24.3/5

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY NC. 51 2 4 JUL 1980

DESK OFFICER

RECISTRY Action

sex

RESETTLEMENT OF VIETNAMESE REFUGLES FROM HONG KONG IN BELIZE

مل

AW Z42

1. I attach a copy of a self-explanatory letter from the Hong Kong Commissioner in London.

2. I understand that this is something of an old chestnut but that, in fact, the Belize Government have agreed in principle to accept 1,000 Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong, and that the only barrier is a financial one. If, as would seem to be the case, the ICRC are willing to meet the actual resettlement costs in Belize, this project might be worth pursuing, as UNHCR would presumably be prepared to meet the cost of flying them from Hong Kong to Belize.

3. As you know, we are anxious to help Hong Kong in any way we can to reduce the number of Vietnamese refugees in the territory, and I should be grateful if this proposal could be pursued by the speediest and most practical means possible.

24 July 1980

Cc: Mr Trew, MCD

P Morrice

Hong Kong and General Department K247

233 4381

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