CONFIDENTIAL
-2-
comparison with the treatment of illegal immigrants from China
who are repatriated and a series of riots among the refugees
already there have led to strong public feeling that something
must be done to cut down the numbers arriving in Hong Kong. The
Hong Kong Government has, therefore, been looking for a new policy
which would deter Vietnamese from going to Hong Kong. The main
options seen as available were to carry on as at present allowing
the refugees to live in open camps and to work, to put all new
arrivals in closed camps, to repatriate them or to tow them out
to sea. A more detailed discussion of these options is in
A Executive Council (EXCO) Memorandum XCC (82)54 attached.
В
Argument
6. When EXCO considered these options on 11 May, it was decided
that a more detailed assessment of closed camps should be prepared.
The Governor has now told us that he is proposing to EXCO that
all new arrivals after 1 July should be put in closed camps
B-104) Hong Kong Telegram No 608.
7.
Although this is a matter for the Hong Kong Government, there
may well be Parliamentary interest in the new policy. I believe
it is quite defensible in Parliamentary terms. Hong Kong's
policy has been extremely humane and generous when compared to
that of other territories in the region. This has made Hong Kong
more attractive. Now that the numbers in Hong Kong are increasing
a more deterrent policy is needed and American Congressmen and
officials have been impressing this on Hong Kong in recent months.
/But
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.