TNAG-1277-FCO40-1627-Resettlement-of-Vietnamese-refugees-from-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 24

(3) esettlement Status In:-

Australia

Mr. Richardson informed the meeting that there have been no significant developments in Australia's programme since the last resettlement meeting. This year Australia is proceeding on a basis of approximately 70 per month (a total of 280 so far) and this number is expected to continue until December.

Belgium

Mr. Devos informed the meeting that Belgium's resettlement rate is low in view of their unemployment situation. Mrs. Lasan, however, pointed out that, on a global basis, Belgium has accepted a number of handicapped refugees and hoped that similar cases from Hong Kong may be considered together with family reunion cases.

Canada

Mr. Crepault informed the meeting that Canada hopes to take 560 government and private sponsored refugees this year. More than 300 are still pending medicals. Both UNHCR and the Consulate hope to make use of the quota before the end of the year.

Denmark

Mr. Marcussen informed the meeting that there has been no change in Denmark's programme since the last meeting. From Danish ship rescue cases, 23 refugees have left Hong Kong for Denmark.

Of the 19 arrivals from the latest rescue

boat, Lica Maersk, 11 have been presented for resettlement procedures.

Federal Republic of Germany

Mr. Conze stated that his country's policy of family reunion remains the same. However, the present economic situation does not lend itself to con- sider other categories for resettlement.

Japan

Mr. Sugimoto stated that the Japanese government has increased their quota from 3,000 to 5,000 for the region. Of the 200 refugees who were presented to the Japanese mission in September, 9 families/24 persons have been pres- ented to the Japanese authorities for a final decision.

Netherlands

Mr. Vrijmoed informed the meeting that there has been no change in their resettlement policy since the last meeting. He informed the meeting that all rescue boat cases have been resettled and at present there is only one case pending a decision.

New Zealand

Ms. Smith stated that there has been no change since the last meeting when it was ntoed that the three handicapped cases submitted to New Zealand by Hong Kong have been put forward through UNHCR Headquarters who are presently dealing with the New Zealand permanent mission in Geneva.

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