TNAG-1277-FCO40-1627-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 175

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RECEIVED IN REGISTRY

3- NOV 1983

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

REGISTRY

PA

Agion TakƏT

ANGLO-US TALKS ON S E ASIAN REFUGEES. FCO 2 NOVEMBER 198

(176)

POINTS TO MAKE

1

Interested in US assessment of regional refugee problem.

2 Not clear why Lao repatriations have stopped. Important for

pioneer programme to succeed.

3 Thai UNHCR anti-piracy programme important despite modest success

so far. UK gave further £75,000 but hope Thais can agree to

recommendations on increased efficiency without increasing the budget.

4 Khmer build-up still serious. Border settlement population over 225,000. UNBRO a major expense. UK hopes to maintain contribution at £500,000.pa. Share US concern at possible downgrading of Sir

R Jackson's post. Important in our view to maintain funding for UNBRO

and to retain the forum for considering emergency relief inside

Cambodia.

5 Despite acceleration of ODP, there are still eg 500,000 ethnic Chinese who may seek asylum by sea in coming years. No precautions

we can take; though clearly economic growth in Vietnam and a regional

political settlement would lessen the risk.

HONG KONG'S PROBLEMS

6 Hong Kong has highest boat refugee population in region. Its

position as a place of first asylum is deteriorating. It therefore

desperately needs a larger resettlement offtake than at present.

7 Hong Kong Government are concerned that US offtake from Hong Kong

is often below the monthly quota of 300 to which State Department is committed. Naturally appreciate that US has commitments other than

Hong Kong, but hope it will be able to continue to take its quota.

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