CONFIDENTIAL
2
Disadvantages :
Comment
If we established a purpose-built camp in a remote part of the NT, this would reduce public concern that we were treating refugees too well (i.e. better than fire victims).
experience with such camps has shown the difficulty of using existing institutions/facilities such as Chi Ma Wan or Jubilee. A purpose- built camp would be expensive : a self-built camp would reduce these costs and would put refugees on a par with recent fire victims; but it would occupy more valuable space and involve higher fire risks and maintenance problems. It would require special arrangements for the provision of medical facilities.
Once we had started on this policy we would need to sustain it by making further camps available to meet accumulating demand. Remoteness would raise problems of access and local accommodation for custodial staff.
The inmates of a closed camp would probably prove antagonistic, finding themselves denied the freedom they left Vietnam to enjoy or exploit.
provided we were prepared to commit the land, money and staff, segregate the men and teenagers from the women and children and meet demand, this would be a starter.
(c) Detention on ships
Advantages
isolation of the detainees, and unmistakable evidence of tough action.
In principle, no land or buildings, and minimum manpower, would be needed.
It would jolt international opinion and remind it of our continuing problem.
/Disadvantages
CONFIDENTIAL
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