TNAG-1181-FCO40-1483-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-into-the--1982 — Page 102

CONFIDENTIAL #

1.

(

(c) The public would generally favour

such a course and probably would not

accept less since all persons who enter

Hong Kong illegally from China are

repatriated; and

(d) There is also the very real danger that,

in the face of greatly reduced

resettlement places overseas, Hong Kong

which alone in the Region allows

its refugees the freedom of open camps

and local employment, will become the

main attraction for these refugees who

do manage to leave Vietnam, and possibly be

viewed by them as a place of permanent

resettlement.

Public Reaction

33.

The public reaction to the proposals to

detain Vietnamese refugees in closed camps since

they were floated a month ago has been most favourable.

A few social workers have criticized the proposals

as being harsh. But in general, the proposals have

been welcomed as a demonstration of the Government's

determination to come to grips with the Vietnamese

refugee problem. An announcement that plans for the

establishment of closed camps will be implemented will

get local support despite the extra cost and provided

that UNHCR contributes.

1340