TNAG-1185-FCO40-1487-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-into-the--1982 — Page 58

CONFIDENTIAL

Not so

to s/set

(220)-

cooperation in any plans or operations directed at expelling

refugees from Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND

3.

One of the tasks of the

it is in

Hong Kong Squadron is to provide naval support for the Royal

Marine Police in maintaining law and order, and

pursuance of this task that the Squadron is involved in anti-

illegal immigration operations. The Royal Marine Police has no

legal jurisdiction beyond the Square Boundary (see attached map).

which represents the limit of Hong Kong territorial waters.

Since 1979, refugees have been arriving in Hong Kong by boat

from Vietnam. The number now in Hong Kong is over 13,000, and

rising, owing to a seasonal influx and the reduction in resettle-

ment plans worldwide. From July, all new arrivals have been

placed in closed camps to await resettlement, in the hope that

this will deter those, thought now to be the majority, who leave

Vietnam for economic reasons rather than because of political

persecution.

In 1979, HMG agreed to take 10,000 Vietnamese

refugees from Hong Kong. In the event, this number has been

increased by those covered by a previous quota and those rescued

at sea by UK-registered ships.

reunion and ship-rescue cases.

FMG continues to take family

5. It is against this background that the Secretary of Security

in Hong Kong has initiated a review of the HKG's contingency plans

for towing vessels with illegal immigrants, including refugees,

from within the Square Boundary out to the high seas. In commenting

on the contingency plan the Secretary of Security has underlined

CONFIDENTIAL