TNAG-0974-FCO40-1193-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-in-other--1980 — Page 204

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(d) We have in mind the interests of the refugees as much as Hong Kong's. The fact that refugees are allowed to live relatively freely in the community and to take up employment pending their resettlement, is good for the morale of refugees and equips them better for resettlement. But it also means that the problems caused by a slow rate of resettlement could be greatly exacerbated, especially if the inflow is resumed. There are signs that this could happen. Without the rapid relief of the existing refugee problem this could be disastrous for Hong Kong and the refugees.

3.

If asked what the UK is doing, you should say that we took nearly 5,000 last year, 80% of them from Hong Kong, and at the beginning of this year were committed to take another 8,000. In countering arguments about the needs of countries sheltering land refugees, you could say that we nevertheless think it fair that, however countries divide their programmes between land and boat cases, they should allocate places for boat refugees in numbers which bear some relation to the burden in places of first asylum. Apart from the special case of the UK, only Canada and the FRG run major programmes commensurate with the burden borne by Hong Kong.

4.

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For Bonn. You could express gratitude for the fair allocations which they have made up to now, emphasising the importance of this continuing.

5.

For Stockholm and Oslo. If you think it appropriate, please emphasise that we are very disappointed that they took such a small percentage of refugees from Hong Kong and that we hope they can take more this year. We are aware of the Norwegian commitment to take all refugees picked up by Norwegian ships. However, provided the moratorium holds, this source of refugees should now be very small indeed; there should be room for Norway to take some from Hong Kong this year.

6.

Separate instructions are being sent to UKMIS Geneva, Washington, Canberra and Ottawa.

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