TNAG-1425-FCO40-1908-Vietnamese-refugees-in-Hong-Kong-general-1985 — Page 140

163

2.

Mr Ehrman

ক

Mr Galsworthy

INDOCHINESE REFUGEES

Поголюбщего,

NEIDENTIAL

Keeble 45

ect the real

9 smpect

ream is thar the has

Government are

Reference...

easier to

deal with than

fwvernment.

Pe 2.4.315.

The Hann

Laos have

Tho

very

✓ the enem

been nasty to each

never

during the was.

HKK 243/5

We have simultaneously received the attached tel from Hong Kong and facsimile UNHCR letter from UKMIS Geneva.

165

The key point in both is the reference to screening. You will see that the first para of page 3 of Mr Hartling's letter refers specifically to a (Government) screening process leading to the safe return" of those denied refugee status: UNHCR apparently

3.

endorse this scheme for the Laotians.

The only indication as to "why Laos and not the rest of Indochina?" is in the preceding paragraphs: the Khmer are UNBRO's problem rather than UNHCR's, and the Lao outnumber the Vietnamese. This

seems prima stacie a

a rather week.

argument.

4. The Thais argued publicly for the introduction of a screening process for Indochinese refugees at last October's UNHCR Executive Committee. They then received some words of indirect encouragement from the Australians. Since then, the rate has voluntary repatriation (UNHCR's much-vaunted recipe for the rest of Indochina) has fallen and new Lao arrivals have continued to flow across the Thai border.

5.

SEAD are seeking further details from Bangkok and UKMIS Geneva.

15 May 1985

60

CODE 18-77

CC: Mr Nash, SEAD

E Leeks

Hong Kong Department 233 4439

AULSIDRU

id

XRONI

2B01:30 X$30

GOGLAVW ? I

AVISIDAH NI QRA¦903U

MKK 243/5

CONFIDENTIAL