TNAG-1274-FCO40-1624-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 255

CONFIDENTIAL

Miss Walker (Hong Kong Department

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG

1

WH 312)

Reference...

FA 243/3

discussin

Submissio

redrafted after

fustion regar

Mi plate

ал

30%

(102)

Thank you for copying to us your draft submission. I have attempted to abbreviate the paragraphs on repatriation towards the end. I am not sure that Flags I and J are essential to the argument, and I attach a revised version of Page 4 of the draft.

2 A new Minister might find it useful to have a paragraph on the UK resettlement record and the difficulties our current policies cause vis à vis UNHCR and the major resettlement states. I suggest inserting a new paragraph after the second sentence of paragraph 4 (the present paragraph 5 would thus become paragraph 7):-

''In 1979 we agreed to take 10,000 of Hong Kong's boat-people. This quota was filled last year and, including the arrival of close relatives, the total of Vietnamese resettled here is now 16,500. The Home Office have made it clear that they can consider no more for admission beyond the 2,000 or so still eligible on a family reunion basis and those who may be rescued by UK shipping. While we explain, for example, to the UNHCR, the US and the Australians that resettlement here has not been a success and that we can accept no more in present circumstances, it is clear that they regard Hong Kong's difficulties as a British responsibility and it is the more difficult to press them for action in the absence of any gesture by HMG. However the Home Secretary in February firmly resisted our arguments on this point and we must do our best to promote other opportunities for resettlement.''

B

3 A small point at the end of paragraph 3:-

''and some 100,000 have so far been resettled, 14,000 in Hong Kong itself. would be clearer.

4 The reference in the present paragraph 7 to the ODP might be elucidated by inserting ''of emigration from Vietnam under UNHCR auspices'' after ''(ODP)'' in line 6.

5 No problems with the draft tel.

HKK 243/1.

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

1- JUL 1983

DESK OFFICER

CODE 18.77

INDEX

REGISTRY

PA

Action Taken

30 June 1983

сс Mr Peate UND

Apagar.

CM J Segar

South East Asian Department W 86A 233 5073

CONFIDENTIAL

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