TNAG-1274-FCO40-1624-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 94

CODE 18-77

Mussother

Mr Heare, HKD

CONFIDENTIAL

VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN HONG KONG

1

Reference

•HKK 24

(243/1.170

RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

13 DEC 1983

DESK CAFIZZ

INDEX

Thank you for copying to me your draft submission on Vietnamese refugees.

2 As well as some small points of detail which I shall list below, my chief comment on the draft is that we ought to make more of the present effects and prospects for orderly departure. This is in part derived from a couple of letters which I am afraid were not copied to you but which I now attach, showing the very interesting figures for orderly departure from Vietnam so far this year and the attitudes of the Vietnamese authorities. Accordingly I also attach below a revised version of the recommendation; a new paragraph 5 for the section ''Present Position''; and a revised version of the present paragraph 11 which will become paras 11 and 12.

3 I also attach as requested, a number of paragraphs on current prospects for departure from Vietnam as a whole, depending on

internal conditions.

Amendments:-

(a)

1

the US and

Paragraph 4, third sentence, might read: Australian view is that resettlement states could only justify offering extra places if HMG were

1

(b) Paragraph 4, fourth sentence after ''countries'', insert ''and among UNHCR officials''.

(c) In consequence of my proposed revision of the first half of the existing paragraph 11, the first 3 sentences of the existing paragraph 12 could be deleted.

5 December 1983

ec Mr Peate UND.

ес

Ülyhye

CM J Segar

South East Asian Department W86A 233 5073

CONFIDENTIAL