TNAG-1424-FCO40-1907-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-general-1985 — Page 95

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You ask whether the Government is able to influence

the policy of the Hong Kong authorities in this regard.

We are of course most concerned about the plight of these

refugees and would like nothing better than to see the end of the closed centre policy. It is neither

satisfactory nor desirable, and our objective must be

to achieve a durable solution as fast as possible. The

Hong Kong Government fully share these views. If the

flow of arrivals dries up and we are successful in our

efforts to resettle those now in the centres, the policy

will cease to be necessary. The sooner this happens,

the better pleased we should be.

You also ask whether we will take a lead in

seeking international action to deal with this refugee

problem. We maintain regular contacts with the UNHCR

and other countries in an effort to find permanent solutions for all the refugees who are at present in Hong Kong. Britain has itself accepted some

19,000 Vietnamese refugees, most of them from Hong

Kong, for resettlement, and we have a continuing

international commitment to resettle family reunion

and ship rescue cases. I see from your letter that

you have already written separately to David Waddington,

within whose responsibility falls the question of

resettlement in Britain. I would however, say in

conclusion that we are doing what we can to help

solve the refugee problem in Hong Kong, and that we

continue to press others to do likewise.

GEOFFREY HOWE

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