TNAG-1184-FCO40-1486-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-into-the--1982 — Page 12

(101) in CR 48/4821/79 II

3

9th November 1982

While raising issues similar to those affecting the "Poyang", the

fact remains that the FCO has already been addressed on the "Hupeh"

case separately by both the British Embassy in Manila and ourselves.

L The "Hupey" case is not currently a further burden on Hong Kong's

accommodation and resettlement problems, and as such I do not intend

to pursue it now.)

7.

I take this opportunity to refer also to the case of the

"City of Edinburgh". This British-registered vessel arrived here

on 26 June 1982, with 34 Vietnamese refugees aboard. In our R-telegram number 678 of 25 June we sought confirmation that the UK

would accept for resettlement any refugees for whom the UNHCR could

not find alternative resettlement places within the standard 90-day

period. FCO telegram number 481 of 25 June gave the assurance we had requested.

8.

1

NIR

The 90-day period has now passed. I understand from our

Immigration Department and the local UNHCR Office that the latter

awaits only a "call forward" from its UK Office, when so authorised

by the Home Office. Again, the fact that these 27 are now "overdue"

for departure causes us some problems with the resolution of other

"overdue" cases.

9.

The Poyang" and the

comprise more thanhalf of the

"City of Edinburgh" cases together

"ship rescue" refugees now detained.

Could you please advise me as to when you will be able to accept

these 27 "City of Edinburgh" cases in the UK?

tom

Patrich.

(P J Williamson)

CC:

RJ F Hoare, HKGD/FCO