TNAG-1274-FCO40-1624-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 71

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

Telephone 01-

233 8631

R McDowall Esq

Immigration and Nationality Department

Home Office

Lunar House

CROYDON

HKK 243.

RECEIVED IN REGNTRY

2 DEC 1993

REGISTRY

Your reference

Our reference

Eyc

Prs Weller or

(178)

723/12

Date 22 December 1983

быт

Dow Roy

ICM MEMBERSHIP

INDEX

1 When he was here in November, Funseth (US State Department) asked me whether the UK would consider rejoining ICM. I replied on the standard lines of Ron Godfrey's letters of 6 October 1982 and 10 January 1983 to Brian Adams. (Copies enclosed for ease of reference). However, in reporting this American request to Brian, I was also concerned that we might come under new pressure to contribute to ICM according to whatever direct benefits the UK receives from ICM programmes for the resettlement of refugees in this country.

2 As you will see from Brian Adams' letter of 14 December enclosed, there has indeed been a renewal of pressure for membership by those countries who continue to use ICM services, although the UK is not specifically mentioned in this context. Would you and other recipients therefore be able to confirm whether there have been any tangible benefits from ICM services for which the UK should consider paying. We can exclude those services for which we are already paying indirectly, as part of the UK contribution to UNHCR programmes.

3 If there is no such direct benefit to the UK, then we should be able to resist new pressure to rejoin ICM. However, if there are benefits and we come under pressure to make direct payments to ICM, do you see any possibility of your department making a case for these funds? If a number of departments are involved, it could be more acceptable to make a single payment of our assessed membership contribution to ICM's administrative costs (like Italy). This now stands at $570,375. It would nevertheless have to be decided between us which department should then make the case for these new funds. I should be grateful for your views and those of other recipients.

Cc:

Yours Yaws cry.

Danire

D J Peate

United Nations Department

J Crabtree Esq, UND (A), ODA

J Nicholson Esq, Voluntary Services Unit, Home Office

Miss J Elsdon, MCAD, FCO

Mr C Segar SEAD FCO Miss O Walker, HDK, FCO

>

BD Adams Esq, UKMis Geneva