CONFIDENTIAL
doubly important to demonstrate clearly that we are doing
our part to help with resettlement.
6. If repatriation to Vietnam must be ruled out, for
the present at least, I am forced to conclude that the
only acceptable means at present at our and Hong Kong's
disposal to discourage further arrivals is the
maintenance of the present closed camp policy.
therefore inclined to think that SCORRI' S
I am
recommendations
on ending the closed camp system must be resisted.
INCREASING RESETTLEMENT
7. There is no doubt in
my mind
that the key to any
greater success by HMG in persuading resettlement
countries to increase their off take is action by the UK
itself to take more refugees from Hong Kong. Without
this we and Hong Kong are in an impossible position in
seeking to persuade other countries to do more: this has
been made clear to us on many occasions both by other
resettlement countries and UNHCR. It was also a point
made by SCORRI. Our past record shows that we made a
substantial effort when the crisis was at its height: we
have accepted 12,500 Vietnamese from Hong Kong since
1979. But in terms of persuading others to continue
resettlement from Hong Kong we have to contend with the
fact that in the last 3 years our Own resettlement rate
from Hong Kong has fallen drastically: we have accepted
less than 500 in that time, including only 88 in 1984.
CONFIDENTIAL
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