TNAG-1274-FCO40-1624-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 108

CONFIDENTIAL

wi

Mr Segar

SEAD

cc: Mr Beate UND

DISCUSSION WITH US OFFICIALS: 2 NOVEMBER

Reference

HKK 243/1

RECEIVED IN RESTRY

18 NOV 233

DESK OFFICES

INDEX

PA

No

lis

(166)

CSTRY

Chou Taken

1. Thank you for sending me a copy of your draft note of the above meeting. I have the following suggestions:-

(a) Paragraph 2, sixth sentence. Amend to read 'they hoped that continuing departures from Indo-China could be deterred by such means as publicly closing admission..

(b) Paragraph 5

(i) In line 3, end sentence after 'problem'. Next sentence

to read 'The importance of this contribution, and the influence it had on the attitude of other countries, meant that there would always be close scrutiny of American policy'.

ко

(ii) Delete 4th and 7th sentences and replace by 'Hong Kong

were naturally anxious that their off-take should not fall below the current level of about 300 per month. Hong Kong's refugee population, which had falle steadily until April 1982, had increased gradually since then, so that the end of the problem was no longer in sight. 25% of refugees in Hong Kong had been there for over 2 years, and 33% for 4 years or more. The authorities were very keen for these groups to be resettled. Although closed camps seemed to have had an effect on the number of arrivals, there were now large numbers who had been in them for long periods, and this would inevitably cause security difficulties. (c) Paragraph 6

(i) In line 6, replace 'were unlikely to' by 'would not

necessarily'. My recollection is that Funseth hoped nevertheless that the US would maintain their present level of off-take. If you agree, it would be helpful to record this.

(ii) Delete last sentence and replace by 'However, he

appreciated that Hong Kong faced a problem over the high proportion of North Vietnamese now arriving there who were ineligible for off-take by the US. He hoped that other countries (eg Canada, Australia) might be prepared to take these'.

(d) Paragraph 9

•

(i) Lines 2-3. Amend to read ..because of resettlement

problems it was necessary to look at ways of discouraging departures, but suggested that voluntary repatriation... (ii) Sixth sentence. Delete and replace by 'Funseth believed

that Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia accepted the idea that in the short-term a policy of minimal deterrence should be given priority and that during this period, resettlements should continue at about their present level, provided that they were not stuck forever with their existing caseload of refugees'.

1

CODE 18-77

CONFIDENTIAL

/(e)