TNAG-1179-FCO40-1481-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-into-the--1982 — Page 98

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is anticipated that Hong Kong's burden will begin to increase

by a net 450-500 per month from a low point of around 7,000

at the end of March. This would cause concern in Hong Kong, and we should take an early opportunity to draw the problem

to the attention of the Americans and the other major

resettlement countries. This might be done by an initial

talk with them here by Mr Donald. Depending on how the

Americans reacted we could then consider following up with a

higher-level approach, eg by the Secretary of State to Mr Haig.

Apart from the Americans, the Canadians, the Australians and

the French also run large continuing programmes, but only the

Canadians have so far taken any significant number from Hong Kong.

10.

When these approaches are made it is more than likely that

we will be asked what the UK has done and what it intends to do.

At the end of paragraph 8(b) of his letter, Sir Philip asks what has happened to Hong Kong's suggestion that HMG should find some way of extending its quota of 10,000 resettlement places for Vietnamese refugees from Hong Kong. This they felt was necessary since American politicians and officials had indicated in the past that they would not be so sympathetic without a continued UK offtake. There are however no signs so far that this has been a significant factor in the determination of the present Administration's policy.

(49) 11.

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Whatever the American attitude, the more important consider- ation is whether HMG could agree to a continued even very

limited flow. In a minute from No.10 to Mr Lyne dated 14 May 1981, the Prime Minister is reported as having said that there

When could be no question of an increase in the quota itself. the Governor discussed it with the Secretary of State and Mr Ridley on 23 June 1981, Lord Carrington said that it would be a very difficult taks indeed to accept more Vietnamese refugees given the rate of unemployment. At official level we have

concluded that there can be no question of a further quota at

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