TNAG-1068-FCO40-1318-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-in-the-UK-1981 — Page 153

POINTS TO MAKE (DEFENSIVE).

1. Greatly appreciate US record of resettlement from Hong

Kong.

2. UK quota nearing completion. Review will follow visit

to Hong Kong by Lord Carrington at end of March.

Background

1. The US have taken over. 33,000 Vietnamese refugees from

Hong Kong, more than three times the UK figure. Over

21,000 of these left in 1980, out of a total of 37,500

departures to all destinations, and continued US offtake

at current levels (1,500 a month) is essential to the reduc-

tion of the present residue of around 20,000 to a minimal

figure late this year. But a Congressional committee in

late 1980 made it clear that they believed the US effort

was not being matched by other Western countries, and

Mr Muskie wrote to the Secretary of State in December

pressing for a further UK quota.

2.

The new US administration has yet to indicate whether

it will continue the generous but expensive existing

programme of 14,000 arrivals a month.

3. Over 1,000 places remain to be filled in the UK quota

for Hong Kong. Lord Carrington will review the need for a

further limited UK commitment during his visit to Hong Kong

at the end of March.