TNAG-1069-FCO40-1319-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-in-the-UK-1981 — Page 66

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4. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE CHILDREN'S FUTURE SHOULD BE SETTLED ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. A FURTHER PERIOD OF UNCERTAINTIY,

DRING WHICH HONG KONG (AS WE READ YOUR INTENTIONS) WOULD SEEK TO CONVINCE THE HOME OFFICE THAT THE THREE DESERVE ADMISSION TO THE UK CAN ONLY ADD TO THE STRAINS THIS CASE HAS ALREADY IMPOSED ON THEM OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS. THE BEST SOLUTION FOR THE CHILDREN THEMSELVES IS SURELY A QUICK MOVE, IF NOT TO VIETNAM, THEN PROMPTLY (AND ON A NO-STRINGS-ATTACHED BASIS) TO A THIRD COUNTRY. THE US WILL NOT TAKE THEM. IS PRESSURE ON BRITISH MINISTERS SUFFICIENT TO PRODUCE AN UNQUALIFIED OFFER FROM THE UK, DESPITE PARAGRAPH 5 OF YOUR TUR?. IT IS WORTH POINTING OUT, HOWEVER, THAT EVEN THIS APPARENTLY ATTRACTIVE SOLUTION

RUNS INTO ALL THE DISADVANTAGES FOR OUR AND UNHCR'S FUTURE DEALINGS WITH VIETNAME OVER RESETTLEMENT,

ODP AND ONE DAY REPATRIATION.

MACLEHOSE

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LIMITED HKNGD

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UND MVD NEWS. D PS/LPS PS|PUS

HR DONALD

COPIES TO :

HONG KONG GOVT Office

LONDON.

PS/ Sof 5. FOR SCOTLAND

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