TNAG-1274-FCO40-1624-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 50

CONFIDENTIAL

F.

countries would not get left with the residue, but Funseth accepted

that the US would have to take the lead in dealing with those who

had been denied admission to resettlement countries.

UK quota

12. We have recently received clarification from Home Office

officials of their position regarding the acceptance of a further UK

quota. As we expected, they have confirmed that they have no plans

to take a further quota at present, mainly because of the problems the UK has faced in assimilating Vietnamese refugees and the pressures of the rapidly growing number of in-country applications

for refugee status.

Argument ARGUMENT

13. In the short term our policy can best focus on devising ways of stopping the outflow from Vietnam. In the past we have considered the possibility of a joint approach with the resettlement countries

to urge the Vietnamese authorities to take steps to reduce the outflow, but the idea has been rejected on the ground that we would not wish to be seen to be stopping people from leaving a repressive regime. A consensus seems to be developing, however that Vietnam should not be allowed to continue with their present policies in the expectation that resettlement countries will clean up the mess.

In any case, it is not clear to what extent the Vietnamese

Government would on their own be able to reduce the outflow to

negligible levels. Corruption and inefficiency are now widespread, especially in Central and Southern Vietnam from where most people set out. Neverthless, the continuing progress of the Orderly Departure

ture Programme must still be the best way of alleviating the pressure on a good many Vietnamese who would otherwise be tempted to flee by boat. It is likely that, were the Orderly Departure Programme to falter in the coming months, we could expect the numbers planning to depart illegally to climb back to the levels of

1981.

14. The Vietnamese have hitherto regarded all boat people as 'illegal emigrants', traitors or criminals. Voluntary repatriations

CONFIDENTIAL