TNAG-1425-FCO40-1908-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-general-1985 — Page 121

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I t

are

centre, which is for North Vietname se and where as a result the

resettlement rate is

lowest and potential integration problems

greater, the Hong Kong Government intends with

intends with UNHCR assistance to

provide a a special multi-purpose training centre. It will be funded by UNHCR (total cost US$40,000) and will be run by the World Relief

voluntary agency.

should be operational by mid-1985. Its

purpose will be to prepare Vietnamese refugees for overseas

resettlement by teaching them basic manufacturing skills and use of simple machinery, and simultaneously to alleviate boredom while they

wait for

for resettlement, thus reducing the likelihood of friction and

violence. It may be possible to step up or otherwise improve these

activities. Opportunities for employment in the closed centres are

limited. (Open centre refugees are of course

free to seek outside

employment). It might be possible to provide more optional, paid

work within the centres without harming the overall deterrent message of the closed centre policy provided the resources of land

and capital investment were available. The Hong Kong Government

are now considering further how they can provide refugees with

skills sought by resettlement countries.

Ꭵ Ꭵ Ꭵ ) Use of Bataan Refugee Processing Centre (RPC) by the UK.

If (eg as a result of the SCORRI enquiry) HMG decide to take a large number of Vietnamese from Hong Kong on a continuing basis, it would be logical to consider making use of the Bataan facilities for those

selected for resettlement here. The aim of such a scheme would be

to reduce the problems involved in integrating refugees upon arrival in the UK, by means

intensive "orientation" courses in Bataan's

purpose built

of

facilities.

Preliminary soundings of the US State

Department have indicated that the US Government, as the major user of the RPC, would welcome a decision by HMG to use the facilities,

and might be prepared to share s ome of the costs of training UK

resettlement cases in the centre. I f we we re to decide to pursue

this, the next stage would be to consult UNHCR, who run and maintain

the RPC.

iv)

The calling of another international

Indo-Chinese refugees.

conference on

There are two problems about this. The first is that we are not at

present able to take an initiative given our low resettlement

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rate.