GRS 160
RESTRICTED
FM HONG KONG 030911Z MAY 85
TO PRIORITY F C O
TELEGEAM NUMBER 849 OF 3 MAY
Ms Walker
243/5.. pa
INFO ROUTINE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE LONDON, HKGO BRUSSELS (JONES), HKGO NEW YORK (DORWARD), HKGO WASHINGTON (LO), HKGO GENEVA (FOR THE ATTENTION OF CARTLAND).
VIETNAMESE REFUGEES.
WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE UNHCR THAT THE RED CROSS HAS ADVISED THAT IT IS NOT PREPARED TO RENEW ITS CONTRACT TO PRIVIDE MANAGEMENT SERVICES AT THE KAI TAK TRANSIT CENTRE. THIS MEANS THAT IT WILL WITHDRAW FROM KAI TAK AT THE END OF THIS YEAR, WHEN ITS PRESENT CONTRACT EXPIRES.
2. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS BECAUSE THE RED CROSS CONSIDERS ITSELF TO BE AN EMERGENCY SERVICE AND IT FEELS THAT THIS IS UNDER- MINED BY ITS CONTINUING ROLE (NOW 6 YEARS) IN KAI TAK TRANSIT
CENTRE.
3. THIS MEANS THAT BOTH OF THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WORKING FOR THE UNHCR IN THE TWO OPEN CENTRES HAVE TENDERED THEIR RESIGNATION. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE UNHCR IS NEGOTIATING (PAINFULLY SLOWLY) WITH AN AMERICAN VOLUNTARY AGENCY TO TAKE OVER JUBILEE. CARITAS IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY CONCERNED WITH WHAT IT PERCEIVES TO BE INACTION ON THE PART OF UNHCR. WE ARE CONTINUING TO PRESS UNHCR TO FIND A REPLACEMENT FOR CARITAS, EMPHASISING THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY RESTS WITH THE UNHCR. WE HAVE ALSO ASKED THE UNHCR TO KEEP US INFORMED OF
ITS SEARCH FOR A REPLACEMENT FOR THE RED CROSS.
HADDON-CAVE
BOAT PEOPLE
LIMITED
SEAD
HKD
PS/LADY YOUNG PS/MR LUCE
UND
FED
PS/PUS
MR GOODALL
NEWS D MAED
PS
MR O'NEILL
MR WILSON
SIR W HARDING
ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTION
BOAT PEOPLE
HKGD LONDON
MKK 243/5
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
-
10 MAY 1985
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
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REGISTRY
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