TNAG-1423-FCO40-1906-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-general-1985 — Page 40

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THE PROGRESS MADE ON THE UNHCR SHIP RESCUE SCHEME (RASRO)

As

IN AN

YOU KNOW THE UK HAS ALREADY ACCEPTED THE SCHEME • ON

THE PROPOSAL OF UNHCR WE HAVE PLEDGED A QUOTA OF 150 PLACES

DURING THE FIRST YEAR WHICH. IF MAINTAINED SHOULD RESULT I

OVERALL REDUCTION OF REFUGEES ACCEPTED FOR RESETTLEMENT (Our

CURRENT ANNUAL AVERAGE IS OVER 300). WE ARE IN CLOSE TOUCH

WITH UNHCR REGARDING THIS NEW SCHEME WHICH WE THINK BY EVENING

OUT THE FLOWS WILL BE BENEFICIAL BOTH TO THE REFUGEES AND

RESETTLEMENT COUNTRIES.

UNHCR HOPE THAT THE SCHEME WILL BEGIN

FUNCTIONING SHORTLY, WHEN THE REQUISITE WUMBER OF RASRO PLACES

HAVE BEEN PLEDGED.

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