TNAG-1273-FCO40-1623-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 98

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further quota, and would defend this on the grounds that the UK has not been a popular destination and that resettlements here have not always been successful. In this context, I have considered the possibility of making a further approach to the Home Secretary straight away, but believe that this would almost certainly be rejected at this stage. However, we might pursue this if there were a large influx into Hong Kong during the summer, and if we could show that we had tried everything else without success.

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6. I attach draft telegrams covering the points in paragraphs 2 and 5 above. A second telegram is proposed for Washington as I see merit in giving the Americans a more detailed account of our thinking and the pressures behind our approach.

7. I understand that you will be seeing Mr Hartling, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on 14 April. I recommend that you raise the question of Vietnamese refugees with him. Points to make are being submitted separately. The telegrams will be held until after Mr Hartling's call.

泜

Betstead.

12 April 1983

(BELSTEAD)

cc: Mr Clift, HKGD

CONFIDENTIAL