TNAG-1069-FCO40-1319-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-in-the-UK-1981 — Page 80

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11.

At the same time, the will on the part of the resettle-

ment countries to continue to offer a sufficient number of places

is being eroded. The UK, Australian and Canadian programmes are

tailing off; and the prospects are that the United States, on whom

Hong Kong now depends for about 75% of all departures, will sub-

stantially reduce the number of places available for 1982.

12.

There is no prospect of a complete end to the out-flow

from Vietnam. Any effective method of discouraging refugees from

coming would involve a degree of brutality towards new arrivals which

would be unacceptable in Hong Kong. Until there is an end to the out-flow,

Hong Kong will continue to fulfil its obligation to provide decent first

asylum for these unfortunate people who at some cost and at great

Hong

personal danger have up-rooted themselves from their homeland.

"ony needs a matching and continuing effort on the part of countries of

resettlement.

Security Branch,

Government Secretariat, Hong Kong.

L/M No. 85/81

24th October, 1981