TNAG-1423-FCO40-1906-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-general-1985 — Page 59

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TO INCREASE RESETTLEMENT IN OTHER COUNTRIES.

(II)WE SHOULD INSTRUCT THE EMBASSY IN HANOI TO TALK

NON-COMMITTALLY TO THE VIETNAMESE ABOUT THEIR ATTITUDE TO A

POSSIBLE PROGRAMME OF INVOLUNTARY REPATRIATION.

WE SHOULD

NEED TO TRY TO CLEAR OUR LINES WITH THE UNHCR. (I THINK

HOWEVER THAT WE ALL RECOGNISE THAT IN THE SHORT TO MEDIUM

TERM IT IS UNLIKELY THAT WE SHALL MAKE MUCH PROGRESS ALONG

THIS ROAD BECAUSE OF VIETNAMESE INTRANSIGENCE).

(III)WE SHOULD EXAMINE THE POSSIBILITY OF IMPROVING TRAINING

FACILITIES FURTHER IN THE CAMPS (IDEALLY AT UNHCR EXPENSE)

BOTH SO AS TO MAKE REFUGEES MORE RESETTLABLE AND TO HELP

STAVE OFF UNHELPFUL CRITICISM OF THE CLOSED CAMP POLICY.

5. MR LUCE INTENDS TO VISIT GENEVA IN MARCH AND WILL SEE UNHCR

IF WE CAN MOVE AHEAD FAR ENOUGH THIS WOULD ENABLE HIM TO SOUND

UNHCR ON THEIR VIEWS ON ANY BILATERAL APPROACH BY US TO THE

VIETNAMESE.

6. I AM NOT GIVING THIS TELEGRAM DISTRIBUTION HERE. IF YOU REPLY

TO IT GRATEFUL IF YOU WOULD DO SO PERSONAL TO ME.

HOWE

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