TNAG-1273-FCO40-1623-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 85

CODE 18-77

Mr Smith

HKGD

Reference

CONFIDENTIAL

PA HUU 243/1.

нии

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG

083

DESK OFFICER INDEX

PA

REGISTRY

Action Taken

Ar 3/5

1.

Thank you for copying to me your draft minute from Lord Belstead to the Secretary of State about UNHCR's remarks.

2. Could I suggest an amplification of the first part of your para 2? It might read as follows:-

12. The view of the department is that Mr Hartling may be quite justified 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. While we should not take an alarmist view ourselves, 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 performance 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 a disappointing porportion

of our candidates are being given exit visas and we remain a substantial contributer to ODP funding.

4.

I therefore propose

·

3. I have made one or two manuscript amendments to the draft telegrams which I attach.

26 April 1983

Aytgan.

CM J Segar

South East Asian Department W 86A

233 5073

CONFIDENTIAL