TNAG-1423-FCO40-1906-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-general-1985 — Page 171

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11. Mr Luce asked whether the Vietnamese Government would be likely to change its policies if voluntary agencies started

started to work there. Dr Barber quoted a

quoted a former British Ambassador to Hanoi as saying that

what was required was a gesture towards s ome kind of opening ('apertura'). This would facilitate proper discussion of the long term future of the refugees. There were elderly Vietnamese in the

UK who would like to go home but could not

not because the Vietnamese

would not accept them. The first consequence of an opening might be a decision by the Vietname se to allow people back. This had worked

successfully in Laos. Mr Luce observed that the Vietnamese would

probably portray such contacts as international

recognition their military activities.

12.

of

Miss Pearce though there was an analogy with the Polish

situation. She believed that voluntary assistance by the UK had

made a difference to Polish people's opinions: it had showed them

that the outside world cared about their predicament.

13.

Lord Ennals stressed that the problem was one of divided

families: the cases he had seen of children in camps in Hong Kong were pathetic.

14.

On conditions in the closed centres, Dr Barber said that if the BRC had to stress one point, it would be the difference in atmosphere between the camps in Hong Kong and those in Thailand. In the Thai

camp s space was restricted and the refugees had no opportunity of leaving, as in Hong Kong. The difference was that the camps were run

by the refugees themselves. Miss Pearce added that they were like Vietnamese villages. The atmosphere was much more relaxed than win

Hong Kong. The refugees could run their own shops in the camps.

Over the gate was a notice "Welcome to our home". Mr Luce said he hoped to visit Thailand before long and to visit the camps.

15. Lord Ennals asked if there was any chance of the BRC meeting the Governor of Hong Kong during his visit this week. Mr Luce agreed that this would be worthwhile if the Governor could find time before leaving.

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