TNAG-1273-FCO40-1623-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 66

Secretary of State

CONFIDENTIAL

GA

Pl. tyke tels for isture

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG

1.

(32)

Jall 915.

ск

HKGD (47

т

See (32)

زعي

You asked if we could look again at the recommendation in my minute of 12 April and also at the draft telegrams in the light of the remarks made by Mr Hartling when he saw you on 14 April.

2.

The view of departments is that Mr Hartling may be quite justi- fied in expecting a continued reduction in arrivals of boat people in the area in the coming year (certainly the Vietnamese are now showing signs of being seriously concerned at the continuing drain on Vietnam as well as the damage to their image in the West), and that this may well produce a fall unlike last year in the numbers reaching Hong Kong. Arrivals in Hong Kong are already significantly down on the same period last year. But with the severe cutback in resettlement places, Hong Kong is still likely to see a net increase in numbers as the summer (SW monsoon season) progresses and Vietnamese arrivals will remain a political issue for Hong Kong unless and until the pattern of arrivals/departures for the rest of the year is clearly shown to be encouraging.

3.

Furthermore, Mr Hartling may be over sanguine about the perform- ance of the Orderly Departure Programme. Totals for 1982 showed no increase on 1981, and although UNHCR and the Vietnamese are now directing more resources to this there would be no harm in pressing for further efforts, particularly since only a small proportion of those whom we are prepared to accept under the ODP are being given exit visas and we remain a substantial contributor to ODP funding.

4. I therefore propose that we still instruct UKMis Geneva and our Posts in Washington, Paris, Canberra and Ottawa to take action as recommended in my minute of 12 April. I attach draft telegrams of instruction for your consideration. These have been re-cast in the light of Mr Hartling's remarks.

H

Belstead.

5 May 1983

(BELSTEAD)

CONFIDENTIAL

HKCK 243/1

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