TNAG-1422-FCO40-1905-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1986 — Page 53

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MEETING WITH MR VON ARNIM, UNHCR REPRESENTATIVE IN LONDON,

FRIDAY 6 DECEMBER

1.

Mr von Arnim

called on Mr Galsworthy at his Own request to

resettlement campaign. Mr Leeks and I

discuss the

the progress of our

attended the meeting.

2

Mr von Arnim said that there would be a meeting of

resettlement countries in Geneva on Tuesday 17 December. He wanted

to clarify with us beforehand how matters

matters stood

stood with each of the

countries we had approached.

7

3.

He said UNHCR's

positions was as follows:

UNITED STATES: Likely to

Kong cooperated over the

established in Hong Kong.

understanding of individual countries'

offer offer 1500 places, particularly if Hong

idea of a RASRO transit centre being

Although this would be no more than their

84/85 offtake, it should be viewed as a positive response, because

the Blue Ribbon panel did not favour resettlement.

CANADA: Have offered 650, but have hinted that they might be able

to do more,

they have in 1984 and 1985. UNHCR anticipate that

final figure might be 1000.

AUSTRALIA: up to 800

(when

FINLAND: possibly 60 (when we pointed out that the Finnish MFA had

mentioned a figure of 80, Mr von Arnim said that this would be

difficult because it would mean

refugees from other regions).

Finland would have to accept fewer

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