TNAG-1301-FCO40-1657-Visits-by-Richard-Luce--Minister-of-State-for-Foreign-and-Co-1984 — Page 100

4

CONFIDENTIAL

MR LUCE'S VISIT TO HONG KONG: 25-28 FEBRUARY 1984

Gunah pals

BRIEF NO 4: VIETNAMESE REFUGEES

POINTS TO MAKE

1.

Hong Kong's record as a place of first asylum second to none.

Sympathise with burden you have had to shoulder. Impressed by

standards Hong Kong maintains, especially in closed camps.

2.

Pleased that new arrivals were down in 1983. Hope trend

continues.

[IF PRESSED]

3. HMG anxious to do all we can for Hong Kong but further UK

X quota unlikely. Boat people have had difficulty in settling in UK:

few historical or cultural ties.

1

For use with Officials only.

4.

We appreciate Hong Kong's position, and reasons for closed

camps policy, but as you know there are human rights complications. Hope you will soon introduce amendments to closed camp rules.

5. Understand you have sent details of new proposals involving

screening of boat people, and returning to Vietnam of those not qualifying as refugees. Human rights and political aspects will

need careful consideration.

Has

6. Sorry to hear of recent disturbance at Hei Ling Chau.

segregation of Northern and Southern Vietnamese solved problem?

7. We are in touch with Home Office about British Refugee

Council's proposal that UK should accept further small groups of refugees; not optimistic of positive response; will let you know.

CONFIDENTIAL